The incidents on “American Horror Story: Asylum” have been gradually leading up to the latest and most twisted episode yet, “The Origins of Monstrosity.” Outside of the Anne Frank storyline, the two preceding episodes oversee the continuous elaboration on the characters that occupy the asylum, particularly the background accounts of both Grace and Dr. Thredson, in addition to Lana’s...
Cheesy? You must be thinking of another movie. Director/screenwriter David O. Russell (“The Fighter,” “Three Kings”) covers all the bases from the opening to the end credits, navigating a script that drips none of the cheese offered by the other romantic-comedies that were released earlier in the year. “Silver Linings Playbook” is adapted from the 2008 novel of the...
In Latin, the word “forma” means shape or figure, and in a more figurative sense it is also used to describe beauty. This implication suggests that the simplicity of the form and structure in things captures the spirit of elegance. Forma’s 2011 self-titled debut album was a dream pop record that embraced the modern world’s fascination with experimentalism and...
“Rise of the Guardians” delivers the magic of the holiday season to nationwide audiences. The latest DreamWorks Animation feature film is based on children’s book series “The Guardians of Childhood,” written by William Joyce who, along with Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), executive produced this adaptation. Director Peter Ramsey (“Monsters vs. Aliens”) brings David Lindsay-Abaire’s (“Robots”) screenplay to life...
In 2009, Fox 2000 Pictures announced that director Ang Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Brokeback Mountain”) had signed on for the film adaptation of best-selling adventure-drama novel “Life of Pi,” written by Yann Martel. And while I wouldn't say that it's as much of a smashing success as its source material, "Life of Pi" is still a captivating spectacle.
The...
Comedy came to UCR last Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Barn, in conjunction with KUCR, hosted UCR’s sixth Comedy Apocalypse. Five stand-up comics entertained a three-quarters full audience; the show was thoroughly entertaining throughout its two hour duration.
As the audience settled into the Barn’s green plastic chairs, the show began with apocalyptic, Baroque-era orchestral music, over which a voice from...
After five years and four movies of disco ball vampirism, lupine six packs and Kristen Stewart’s monotone delivery, “The Twilight Saga” breathes its last in “Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” and it’s well overdue. The final installment of Stephenie Meyer’s monster plays out like a primetime episode in the Friday night graveyard slot, as director Bill Condon (“Chicago,” “Dreamgirls”)...
Let’s be honest, we all enjoy a good sale, right? Especially in today’s economy. Rushing to the next shopping sale is the only way I can get a good workout these days. Thanks to my favorite holiday, Black Friday, there are plenty of benefits for your closet and wallet. Here are some tips to get the most out of...
A year after the release of her album “Bionic” in 2010, Christina Aguilera returned to the spotlight as a judge on “The Voice,” and made a visual statement by showcasing her glowing fake tan and some new “hardware.” Apparently a couple of years and a revamped look is all it took for Aguilera to emerge—as literally seen on the...
As I stepped into the surprisingly spacious screening room of Downtown Riverside’s Culver Center, I expected “Martha Marcy May Marlene” to be a cookie-cutter psychological thriller. The independent film was released early 2011 at the Sundance Film Festival and only saw a limited release. What I saw instead was a film that is as much about questions of identity...