Historical films covering every major time period and event abound in today’s society, from the recent star-studded “Cold Mountain” to the Academy Award-winning “Patton” and Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X.” But one important era in American history has remained largely undercover until now: the Harlem Renaissance. Read more...

It may be hard to remember now, but there was a simpler, purer time not too long ago, when reality television was still all about earning fast cash and 15 minutes of fame. Read more...

Despite the fact that he is one of the most regular faces on MTV’s “Real World/Road Rules Challenge,” Theo Von does not consider himself a celebrity. Read more...

U2 “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” Interscope Records In theory, U2’s new album should be its best in years. “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” has everything a great U2 album needs: soaring choruses as only Bono can sing them, the Edge’s trademark delayed guitars, and even a song about God (“Yahweh”). Read more...

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is fast becoming the French Tim Burton. Quickly emerging as an accomplished creator of vibrant and original modern-day fairy tales, Jeunet’s deftness reminds one of early Burton. Read more...

For UCLA extension student James Ayala, taking a class for the third time has nothing to do with failure. In fact, having the opportunity to learn how to market movies and impress industry people, including directors and producers, keeps him returning to a class titled “The Marketing Challenge: Selling New Movies From the Sundance Institute Filmmakers.” The first time was for credit, but since then, Ayala has gone back for Ira Teller’s inspirational teaching and the hands-on creative work. Read more...

When Janelle Dote graduated from the theater department in 2003, her interest in acting was just emerging from backstage to front and center. In the Geffen Playhouse’s revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “Paint Your Wagon,” Dote will get to hone in on all aspects of the stage skills she learned at UCLA. Read more...