A&E

When I first told people that I planned on going to a Star Trek convention, I was met with a few different responses — most of which included me being called a nerd. But I’ll proudly agree. I admit that I am definitely what you would call a nerd.

Felix Da Housecat, or Felix Stallings, has helped pioneer almost every electronica genre: house, elctroclash, trance—the list goes on. If there is anything...

Arctic Monkeys give every young bloke with a guitar a glint of hope in their eyes. It’s hard to believe that four young...

“Successful” is an understatement when describing Pixar Animation Studios. Pixar has released an unprecedented string of critically acclaimed films. The films don’t just satisfy those hard to please critics, but they are sure to keep kids of any age smiling. Matinee showings are filled with kids, but often midnight premieres are highlighted by their fair share of college students. It’s easy to get caught up in the originality of all these wonderful films and feel like a kid again, even if you came into the film with a kid of your own. The wit of Pixar movies makes them classic films in any sense, films that, unlike most animated movies, transcend the age barrier.

So, this is the last week of the last school quarter — oh, I can already taste the sweet summer freedom — and though many students are deluged with papers and finals, many other students plan to drift aimlessly through this week. Instead of getting intoxicated and watching hours of YouTube videos, why not check out some of the events that UC Irvine’s art departments have to offer?

Horror films, more so than films of other genres, tend to tow a fine line between creating anxiety and hilarity.

Ever wanted to play Pokémon trainer and action star in mythically re-imagined 1920’s Japan?

A girlfriend experience, by urban definition, is a high-class, high-cost relationship with a call-girl, who under the provisions of the transaction will provide sex (with protection), oral sex (without protection) and generally maintain the minute actions and idiosyncrasies that come with a dedicated “girlfriend” relationship. Now that we are familiar with the basic law of the land, we can begin. This the premise of Steven Soderbergh’s newest film, “The Girlfriend Experience.”

It’s been a long, hard road for Eminem since he released his last album, “Encore,” five years ago. After a failed remarriage, the death of a close friend and exhaustion from touring, Eminem spiraled into a realm of sleeping pills and prescription medication while cutting himself off from the rap world that wondered if he would ever return. Despite falling off track, Eminem has returned with “Relapse,” which explicitly chronicles his addictions and the severely declining state of his physical and mental health.

Critical acclaim. What does that mean, anyway? Subjectivity and objectivity are really dicey, especially in entertainment where there are always two sides of the coin. Word of mouth is one thing, but the word of critics? I have nothing against a friend telling me to catch a movie because he thought it was interesting, but he couldn’t possibly tell me how I’d feel about it. Doesn’t that take away the art of the entire thing?

Often, films and television shows are praised for their directing style, actor performances, cinematography or special effects. Yet, many individuals often overlook the fundamental foundation that makes a film or TV show possible: screenwriting. Without a script, these other elements would not be possible. From “Good Will Hunting” to “Juno,” screenwriting has been a key aspect that has defined a performance or produced those memorable lines that you can’t help but say at the opportune moment.

Most drama productions put on at UC Irvine are either directed by faculty members or graduate students. In some cases, a handful of undergraduates are invited to direct plays called workshops. In almost all cases, however, UCI funds the entire play: the lighting, rights to the script, costumes and even stage costs. That is, all cases except one.