A&E

Every American has a very strong opinion about our 43rd president, George W. Bush. Whether you hate or love him, there is no denying that there are infinite interpretations of his last two terms in office. For this reason, viewers must take Oliver Stone's new film "W." simply for what it is — a cheap laugh and a disorganized interpretation of Mr. President's psychological makeup and enormous unpopularity.

The air outside of the Bren Events Center smelled of sweat, weed and booze. Tens of thousands gathered to witness Shocktoberfest and its two headliners, Matt Costa and Three 6 Mafia.

Fourth-year English and drama major Aylin Zafar took off on a plane for the East Coast this summer for the UCDC Summer Internship program, where students get a chance to live and work in the heart of Washington D.C. Zafar turned her back to those flag-pinned politicians and headed to 635 Massachusetts Avenue, along with 54 other interns, to work at the headquarters of National Public Radio.

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts presented its annual Gassmann Electronic Music Series at Winifred Smith Hall, featuring musician, composer and new UC Irvine professor Kojiro Umezaki, on Oct. 15. Umezki, who presented his riveting program "Alternate," showcasing the beauty of the Shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. Like a painter, Umezaki wields his Shakuhachi to create one unifying masterpiece that heightens the senses.

A bright, sweet sound and a soft voice drifting in the calm ocean breeze; sounds like the perfect backdrop for a relaxed, intimate setting on the beach as the sun slowly sets over the Pacific's horizon. You may think this is simply a fixture of your imagination, but it's a reality if you look no further than Huntington Beach's Matt Costa, who is set to play this year's Shocktoberfest hosted by ASUCI.

Catalyst, a biweekly collaborative art exhibition produced by UC Irvine students, is more than simply an art show. Showcasing work by art majors and non-art majors alike, the event is just as much a party as it is a presentation.

Once upon a time, a rugged, attractive man working for the CIA underwent a dangerous mission in a war-torn area. Sound familiar?

If you listen to music regularly, you figure it's a process. Not every record you listen to will catch your imagination. There are plenty that are hit or miss, and then there are some that are just plain bad. The idea of months or years of toil to produce a record has sympathetic listeners rationalizing the bore of albums that just don't click. But through all the clutter, you occasionally, and I mean once in a long while, find a record that just hits you. There's no rationalization, just the world that the album transports you to for an hour. The Department of Eagles has made that record.

"Sex Drive" develops its own witty take on the desperate road to deflowering.

In 1994, Oasis burst out of Manchester and took British pop music by storm with its hit debut album "Definitely, Maybe" and its sophomore smash "What's the Story? (Morning Glory)." Thirteen years and seven albums later, brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are back with a vengeance on their latest album, "Dig Out Your Soul."

Following its hit release "The Sufferer & The Witness," Rise Against bursts with political angst with its fifth studio album "Appeal to Reason."

Love stories have narrative arcs that no doubt withstand the test of time. It's for this reason, however, most feel that when they've heard one, they've heard them all. It's rare that in this day and age, artistic media produces a love story with any inkling of originality. It's probably what makes director Peter Sollett's latest, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," such a breath of fresh air.