Boiling with manic depressive energy, Xiu Xiu returns to the experimental rock and punk scene with their eighth studio album, “Always.” Frontman and founder Jamie Stewart made a name for himself and his band with their angst-filled lyrics and riotous music. Xiu Xiu has never been good at pleasing the masses, and this album is no different. The band...
Within the first few seconds of watching “Silent House,” I pondered whether or not I had made a horrible decision selecting the film. Utilizing the ever-popular shaky, one-take style of filming that suggests the control of a hyperactive toddler, I felt sympathy for my head and stomach. Despite my physical discomfort, its storyline and moments of panic left me...
Disney’s John Carter was released March 9 by Andrew Stanton—director of “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E.” The story is based on Edgar Rice Burrough’s “Barsoom” series. This action-adventure-fantasy seems to be what you get when you cross “Star Wars” with “Prince of Persia.” There are aliens, spacecrafts, ridiculous stunts and a nearly cliché plot. Yet, despite these negative appearances, the...
The UC Riverside Department of Dance has put on another quality production with their annual undergraduate showcase, “UCR is Dancing.” Under the artistic direction of Visiting Assistant Professor Joel Smith, 17 undergraduate dance students presented original choreography that reflected five quarters of study in dance composition. The students have been working with faculty members Wendy Rogers and Susan Rose...
Highlander Radar: What did you think of performing at UC Riverside compared to other venues? How was the crowd?
Mikel Jollett: It was awesome, it was exciting; I like playing for a college audience because a lot of the world events that the songs are about affect kids that are in that age range.
Steven Chen: I went to UC Berkeley...
UC Riverside’s annual Heat Music Festival continued this year with an incredibly successful show featuring eclectic and highly acclaimed musicians. Three different stages provided ample options for a variety of musical tastes.
The Highland Stage opened with a lively performance by Santa Barbara-based band Iration, who are known for blending reggae, dub and rock. First-year Kaley Pringle-Haymons said that Iration...
Already slammed by critics, Nima Nourizadeh's directorial debut is garnering negative reviews across the nation. Toted as being a complete waste of a film that only focuses on booze, boobs and amoral debauchery, “Project X” is a teenager's ultimate party wet dream come true. Sure, it's suppose to be a senior “high school” party, but producer Todd Phillips, who...
Fun. has released their second and latest album, “Some Nights.” The indie pop band, recently praised for their popular new single, “We Are Young,” has created a phenomenal album to accompany it. In comparison to their debut album, “Aim and Ignite,” the theatrical band, comprised of a trio of musicians and singer, has certainly lived up to their previous...
“Wanderlust” is a new comedy film from the makers of “Role Models.” The movie follows married metropolitan couple George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) as they explore a new lifestyle after being forced out of their New York City studio apartment by financial troubles.
The film opens with the couple’s excitement that they will now be able to purchase...
“This Means War” is a romantic comedy action film directed by McG. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy.
CIA agents FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are best friends and work partners. Their characters are formulaic. FDR is a womanizer who has yet to commit to a woman. Tuck is a family man who has a...