Although I had gone to interview him, writer/director Alexander Payne asked me the first question. “Can I offer you something to drink?” “A glass of ice water would be great.” “Sure you don’t want something else? Read more...

Sum 41 “Chuck” Island Records At first glance, the liner notes of Sum 41’s “Chuck” appear to represent a band ready to step into punk rock’s hallowed tradition of political criticism, from the ’50s-style cartoon children drawn over missile schematics to the ugly greens and reds violently splattered over everything. Read more...

“The Grudge” Directed by Takashi Shimizu Columbia Pictures Based on the Japanese blockbuster “Ju-On,” directed by Takashi Shimizu, “The Grudge” may seem like just another American remake following last year’s hit, “The Ring.” While Ghost House Pictures and Columbia Pictures may be confirming Hollywood’s current Japanese fetish with its new thriller, “The Grudge” attempts to set itself apart from its predecessor. Read more...

If you’re anything like me, you enjoy reading tabloid magazines. Wait, scratch that ““ you live for reading the tabloids. Now before you judge me as a complete airhead, hear me out. Read more...

With blond curly hair and an alternative-band-meets-the-’80s kind of attire, Matt Meredith looks the exact opposite of the Web site designer stereotype. But three years ago, this self-proclaimed “computer nerd,” together with best friend Blake Machado, started a Web designing company called Corporate Green, which has earned him a certain level of notoriety and enough skill to warrant a commanding five figures per project. Read more...

It’s not unusual for a college or university to be more than an academic environment for students. For screenwriter and alumnus Scott Kosar, UCLA was the safe haven that changed his life. Read more...

Hi Jake, I consult bruinwalk.com professor reviews every enrollment period, but it has occurred to me that having a similarly formatted “˜TA Review’ forum would be immeasurably more helpful, since they do most of the grading in lower-division classes. Read more...