Laguna Beach festival features unique local art

Patrons flocked from around Southern California to attend the 43rd annual Sawdust Festival at Laguna Beach this summer.

Ashley Shafer, Writer • August 31, 2009

Patrons flocked from around Southern California to attend the 43rd annual Sawdust Festival at Laguna Beach this summer.

Meet the Artists: Greg Lookerse, Janee Noble, and Kathryn Mueller

Prepare for contrast in this week’s senior art show. Get jolted from room to room by the intense ideas and contrasting concepts presented by each artist. The gallery this week features seniors Greg Lookerse, Janee Noble, and Kathryn Mueller.

May 6, 2009

Prepare for contrast in this week’s senior art show. Get jolted from room to room by the intense ideas and contrasting concepts presented by each artist. The gallery this week features seniors Greg Lookerse, Janee Noble, and Kathryn Mueller.

The Fragrance: Biola worship band puts its sound down for an EP of original praise songs

The Fragrance is one of those few bands that still functions the old-fashioned way: blue-collar work ethic and dedication to their music. Sophomores Joel Hasemeyer (vocals, guitars), Linzy Spann (keys, accordion, glockenspiel, vocals), Evan Eliason (bass, vocals), Andy Leong (guitar, keys, vocals), Paul Chang (drums) compose the band and juggle busy schedules with their duties as regulars in the Biola chapel band rotation.

May 6, 2009

The Fragrance is one of those few bands that still functions the old-fashioned way: blue-collar work ethic and dedication to their music. Sophomores Joel Hasemeyer (vocals, guitars), Linzy Spann (keys, accordion, glockenspiel, vocals), Evan Eliason (bass, vocals), Andy Leong (guitar, keys, vocals), Paul Chang (drums) compose the band and juggle busy schedules with their duties as regulars in the Biola chapel band rotation.

“Wolverine”: Action-packed film does not disappoint X-Men fanatics

Take Hugh Jackman, slap on 200 pounds of muscle, foot-long muttonchops and razor-sharp, Adamantium claws and you have “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” The most recent in Marvel Comic’s X-Men film franchise opened Friday, kicking off a promising summer of blockbusters.

Matthew Okada, Writer • May 5, 2009

Take Hugh Jackman, slap on 200 pounds of muscle, foot-long muttonchops and razor-sharp, Adamantium claws and you have “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” The most recent in Marvel Comic’s X-Men film franchise opened Friday, kicking off a promising summer of blockbusters.

Leak doesn’t keep fans away from ‘Wolverine’

Audiences weren't deterred from watching "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" on the big screen despite a full-length version of the superhero prequel clawing its way online last month. The 20th Century Fox movie grabbed the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $87 million opening, toppling the first two "X-Men" films — but not the third, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Associated Press, Writer • May 4, 2009

Audiences weren't deterred from watching "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" on the big screen despite a full-length version of the superhero prequel clawing its way online last month. The 20th Century Fox movie grabbed the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $87 million opening, toppling the first two "X-Men" films — but not the third, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“The Soloist”: Technical masterpiece, realistic portrayal of friendship

In life, tragedy can strike without warning. Steve Lopez, played by “Iron Man’s” Robert Downey Jr., knows this all too well.

May 1, 2009

In life, tragedy can strike without warning. Steve Lopez, played by “Iron Man’s” Robert Downey Jr., knows this all too well.

“Dragonball Evolution” loses originality presented in older series

If the theory of evolution assumes that species evolve into higher forms of life over time, then “Dragonball Evolution” comes as a heresy to the Darwinian doctrine.

April 24, 2009

If the theory of evolution assumes that species evolve into higher forms of life over time, then “Dragonball Evolution” comes as a heresy to the Darwinian doctrine.

“Adventureland”: Film captures simple moments, portrays sincere characters

In “Adventureland,” James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) longs to find and capture defining life moments as his journey toward adulthood is staved off because of finances and the inevitability of reality.

April 24, 2009

In “Adventureland,” James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) longs to find and capture defining life moments as his journey toward adulthood is staved off because of finances and the inevitability of reality.

“Living Thing”: Peter Bjorn and John feature catchy mix in new album

If you still find yourself whistling the tune from “Young Folks,” the indie anthem off Peter Bjorn and John’s 2006 release, “Writer’s Block,” do not fret. On March 31 their 2009 release, “Living Thing,” is sure to keep you side-steppin’ and boppin’.

April 1, 2009

If you still find yourself whistling the tune from “Young Folks,” the indie anthem off Peter Bjorn and John’s 2006 release, “Writer’s Block,” do not fret. On March 31 their 2009 release, “Living Thing,” is sure to keep you side-steppin’ and boppin’.

“12 Rounds” reduces potential horrific feature to brain-dead action film

Just from the derivative trailer, “12 Rounds” sets itself up as a mediocre action film with terrible action and preposterous plotting starring wrestler John Cena. And you would be correct in that assumption except for one minuscule detail: “12 Rounds” is perfect escapism.

March 31, 2009

Just from the derivative trailer, “12 Rounds” sets itself up as a mediocre action film with terrible action and preposterous plotting starring wrestler John Cena. And you would be correct in that assumption except for one minuscule detail: “12 Rounds” is perfect escapism.

“The Haunting in Connecticut”: Predictable scares undermine existence of evil

The opening shot reveals that “The Haunting in Connecticut” is “based on a true story.” Whether it’s based on a true story or not, consider the possible reasons the filmmakers would consider it necessary to reveal this bit of information. Most movies that are “based on true stories” tend to be motivational or historical, and sometimes both. This movie has neither intention. By basing a horror film on true events, it should, in theory, be scarier than a ridiculous fiction. Why watch a fictional evil event when you can watch a real evil event that actually happened in Connecticut?

March 31, 2009

The opening shot reveals that “The Haunting in Connecticut” is “based on a true story.” Whether it’s based on a true story or not, consider the possible reasons the filmmakers would consider it necessary to reveal this bit of information. Most movies that are “based on true stories” tend to be motivational or historical, and sometimes both. This movie has neither intention. By basing a horror film on true events, it should, in theory, be scarier than a ridiculous fiction. Why watch a fictional evil event when you can watch a real evil event that actually happened in Connecticut?

“I Love You, Man” successfully portrays lighthearted bro-mance

Tolkien deeply celebrated friendship when he had Samwise journey with the ringbearer all the way to Mount Doom. Even though “I Love You, Man” is a lightweight comedy, it seeks to celebrate that same type of hobbit friendship. It is a film that honors those friends who would jam with you to Rush's "Tom Sawyer," or would remember to be extra careful with your “Lost” season two DVDs, or who would even back you up in a fight against Lou Ferrigno if you unwisely chose to pick a fight with the star of “The Incredible Hulk.”

March 25, 2009

Tolkien deeply celebrated friendship when he had Samwise journey with the ringbearer all the way to Mount Doom. Even though “I Love You, Man” is a lightweight comedy, it seeks to celebrate that same type of hobbit friendship. It is a film that honors those friends who would jam with you to Rush's "Tom Sawyer," or would remember to be extra careful with your “Lost” season two DVDs, or who would even back you up in a fight against Lou Ferrigno if you unwisely chose to pick a fight with the star of “The Incredible Hulk.”