What makes “Urinetown,” and especially the touring production that opened a two-week run at the Wilshire Theatre on Tuesday night, work so well as a musical comedy is not that it manages to make good use of its preposterous main conceit in spite of itself. Read more...

Despite getting horrible across-the-board reviews, “Van Helsing” is a success. Sure, only 24 percent of national critics gave it a favorable review, according to RottenTomatoes.com, but for most of the people who actually make the decisions in the film industry, the more important number is the $54 million it made at the box office. Read more...

The Beta Band “Heroes To Zeros” Astralwerks The Beta Band may have been introduced to you during that scene in “High Fidelity” when Rob (John Cusack) predicts he’ll sell five copies of “The Three EPs” just by playing it in the store. Read more...

Those who ordinarily could care less about Greek mythology may find themselves showing a bit of interest on Friday. Wolfgang Petersen’s much anticipated blockbuster, “Troy,” is based on Homer’s “Iliad,” the epic story of the Trojan War. Read more...

The dream begins before James Thiérrée, artistic director and star of “The Junebug Symphony,” even steps out of his clothes and into his bed. This wild concoction of enchanting music and physical stunts are held together by one magical key element: hilarity. Read more...

The competition couldn’t be fiercer as eight multi-talented and captivating contestants on “Ultimate Idol” strive to win luggage, a new Kia and a trip to Bakersfield. Read more...

Killswitch Engage “The End of Heartache” Roadrunner Mixing melodic epic-metal guitar riffs with hardcore breakdowns, Killswitch Engage has made its new album, “The End of Heartache,” an intense, heavy and emotional amalgam that, despite its highly polished production quality, will still appeal to old fans, and probably pick up some new ones. Read more...