By Howard Ho Daily Bruin Reporter Music is, somehow, supposed to have more power when we feel sorry for the musicians. Psychologically disturbed David Helfgott certainly owes his success to having a miserable life in the film “Shine.” Beethoven is the worst, or best, for just being deaf. Read more...

  MICHAEL MANTEL Franti is shown here having a good time playing the Sno-Core Icicle Ball. By Mary Williams Daily Bruin Senior Staff Walking slowly in bare feet, shorts and a T-shirt, Michael Franti seemed unaware that his manager Pretty, a large man with dreadlocks that reached down to his waist, was trying to hurry him through a tight schedule that included travel, an interview and a performance. Read more...

  Godfrey Films "Mad" Mike Jones fearlessly jumps into the Grand Canyon. By Beverly Braga Daily Bruin Contributor Everyone dreams of flying, but for motocross junkies, they don’t ask for wings ““ just a decent bike. Read more...

  The Perfect Exposure Galley Della Rossa’s exhibit includes photographs of Los Angeles gangs and their families. By Sara Mortimer Daily Bruin Contributor When violence is examined closely, it has a human face. Read more...

  Egyptian Theatre "Hard Boiled," starring Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung, is one of John Woo’s trademark action films. By CJ Yu Daily Bruin Contributor Director John Woo’s action-thrillers have greatly changed the landscape of action-adventure cinema in the last few years, and Hollywood has noticed. Read more...

By Sara Mortimer Daily Bruin Contributor David Sedaris appeared before a sold-out Royce Hall last Thursday, and within seconds it became difficult to hear his laid-back, nasal voice above the audience’s laughter. Read more...

By Kathleen Dunphy Daily Bruin Contributor People often criticize the way bands such as O-Town and the Backstreet Boys came together by calling them finely-tuned commercial machines whose lone goal is to sell records, and sell a lot. Read more...