Pumping himself up prior to an audition by jumping and sprinting in black slacks and a purple shirt with Britney Spears blasting in his ears, Venk Potula was surprised to see a limousine pull up alongside him. Potula said the back window rolled down to reveal actor and “America’s Got Talent” host Nick Cannon, who told Potula […]
Category Archives: Film & TV
Movie Review: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’
Although they’ve left the arena, the games aren’t over. After a year-and-a-half-long wait, the much-anticipated second installment of the “The Hunger Games” film franchise finally hits the big screen. In this action-packed sequel, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) face the repercussions of the risky stunt that bonded the two together at […]
Q&A: Skylar Astin discusses starring role in new comedy series
“Pitch Perfect” actor Skylar Astin has made the move to television as the star of the new TBS comedy series “Ground Floor.” Astin plays Brody, a “top-floor” investment banker who falls in love with “ground-floor” worker Jennifer, played by Briga Heelan. He also stars alongside “Scrubs” star John C. McGinley. The series, a modern take […]
Movie Review: ‘Delivery Man’
In director Ken Scott’s newest film “Delivery Man,” excessive sperm donation drives the plot of this season’s biggest family film in more ways than one. In this feel-good family flick, Scott gives an Americanized spin on his original French-Canadian film “Starbuck.” The narrative starts with meat deliveryman David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn), who is always tied […]
Movie Review: ‘Philomena’
The most intriguing part of British dramedy “Philomena,” as well as the main aspect driving the entirety of the film’s relaxed, enjoyable demeanor, is how effortlessly everyone involved seems to be playing along. Steve Coogan, who plays the role of journalist Martin Sixsmith and serves as one of the film’s writers, is humorous even when […]
‘Setsunasa Burger’ wins best story, production design at Campus MovieFest
“Setsunasa Burger,” the only foreign language film in the 2013 UCLA Campus MovieFest Top 16, was almost an accident – an accident that won best story and best production design. Codirected by Joseph Brandel, a fourth-year world arts and cultures student, and Tim Ammand, a graduate of UC San Diego, “Setsunasa Burger” began as a […]
‘A Century of Chinese Cinema’ comes to Westwood
A weary traveler wanders the desolate countryside, clutching his suitcase. The haunting narration of a torn and tortured woman reveals her feelings for a lost love, her distant memories and her hidden melancholy. So begins the 1948 production “Spring in a Small Town,” director Fei Mu’s film about a love triangle among a sickly man, […]