For John Kricfalusi, there was once a time when cartoons were really good. Of course, as the creator of “Ren & Stimpy” ““ one of the most popular, subversive, gross-out cartoons in modern history ““ Kricfalusi has an entirely different idea of what “good” really is. Read more...

Mission to Mars From the ramshackle, Replacements-like synergy of “Violet, Hello” and the chunky, chugging riffs on “Don Drysdale,” there’s no doubting that the ancient spirits of ’90s college rock are alive and well in Mission to Mars, the Portland-based band helmed by UCLA alumnus Philip Golden. Read more...

FILM & TV: COMIC STORE OPENING Why is the opening of a comic book store the Film featured event of the week? Because it’s Kevin Smith’s new store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, and to celebrate the opening Smith himself will be present, along with Jason Mewes and possibly other as-yet-undisclosed celebs, to sign copies of the recently released “Clerks X” and “Jersey Girls” DVDs. Read more...

Although “Little Shop of Horrors” is shrouded in campy comedy, it’s filled with poverty, deprivation and instances of the human necessity to rely on others when unable to provide for yourself. Read more...

No one can bring you the entire universe like an astronomy grad student, and lately they have been working to show you even more. In addition to their regular Wednesday night planetarium shows, astronomy graduate students have been searching the skies for interesting and original presentations to bring to audiences each week. Read more...

“Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid” Directed by Dwight H. Little Columbia Pictures Sometimes sequels work because everything just comes together. (Think “Alien” and “Alien 2.”) Sometimes sequels don’t work because they were bad the first time and only can get worse. Read more...

Dressed conservatively in a navy polo shirt, light-blue slacks and brown leather loafers, 81-year-old veteran comedic writer Ben Starr is seated comfortably cross-legged in his warm-hued modest condo in West Los Angeles when he says the last thing I would have expected him to say during our interview: “I happen to be a freak.” But Starr is simply referring to his lifelong passion of writing comedy, a passion he considers abnormal, as he says most writers in the business do not truly enjoy writing. Read more...