A&E

It's rare that we stumble upon an indie film that we really hate. Admit it: sometimes they're just so eccentric that we either have to like indie films for their originality or we're so awestricken by their philosophical depth that we're somehow tricked into liking them. However, with "Sunshine Cleaning," the realness expressed through the plot as well as the acting needs no mind games to win over its viewers.

Take at least a half star off from this review if you read the 1988 graphic novel. It matters that much. But whatever emotional ties you have to Alan Moore's dystopian vision of an alternate New York, director Zack Synder still manages to craft a visually splendid, achingly entertaining film that anyone with a hunger for an action film with a mind behind it needs to see. It's just a matter of how much your reading experiences make you realize how much better it could have been.

Student film group Midnight Society beat out Incredulous Marshmallow Productions and Porkchop Sandwiches among others to take home best picture in the 5th Annual 24-Hour Mad Film Dash. Hosted by the UC Irvine Computerstore, the event gives students the chance to write, produce and direct their own short films. The competition had a large turnout with 50 films; 25 of the films were screened at the festival.

Wesley Miles cannot be contained. His exuberance is boundless and irresistible. A small stage is comfortable for him, and it does not matter if a large cello crowds his elbow or if five people are onstage with him. His curly hair bounces with each thump of the drum while his arms draw circles in the air with the beautiful rise and fall of strings.

The Prodigy's "Invaders Must Die" and Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!" reviewed.

Fez. This Moroccan city conjures images of bustling bazaars, aromatically arousing cuisine and ornate, colorful Islamic architecture. One might ask, "What does this African locale have to do with the European-based U2?"

There have been few female directors that pop into a casual moviegoer's mind. Many people recognize Sofia Coppola but she's often in the shadow of her father, Francis Ford Coppola. The majority of recognition for women in film comes with actresses, with many of them gaining recognition because of their stunning good looks. But rarely is there appreciation for the ladies behind the camera. Why is this?

After the disappointing news that DJ AM and Travis Barker were not going to perform at the Bren Events Center for homecoming, ASUCI was on the hot seat. As they have done all year, ASUCI came through again last Wednesday by bringing LMFAO to the Student Center for a free concert at noon.

It's 6:30 p.m., and the line outside the Hollywood Palladium already twists and turns all the way down the block as fans eagerly gather outside. Modest Mouse is kicking off a 12-day tour with a sold-out show in Hollywood. Vendors and ticket scalpers loiter on the sidewalk outside the door. At 7:00 p.m., security opens the door, slowly ushering people in and the fans let out a collective sigh of relief as they are finally let inside.

The fight to combat global warming and energy dependence was a key domestic issue ingrained in the American psyche roughly a year ago as President Barack Obama and John McCain journeyed on the campaign trail, preaching the importance of sustainability and decreasing America's dependence on foreign oil. Just as the environmental political platform began to pick up popularity, the financial crisis and global economic woes blew the steam out of environmental issues, making them mere afterthoughts in comparison to the economy.

Reviews of Thursday's "Common Existence" and 4AD's "Dark Was The Night"

With 15 minutes until midnight on Friday, Feb. 20, 76 groups of UC Irvine students began filling the grassy amphitheater located near the ArtsTEC Lab in the Claire Trevor School of Arts. As the high level of energy and exclamations of excitement echoed through the halls of the arts center, there was no hint that students were about to endure 24 hours of exhausting and extensive work.