The Daily Aztec: The film draws a lot of comparisons to “The Blair Witch Project,” stylistically was that your biggest influence? Oren Peli: It was definitely an influence. “Blair Witch” is the most successful movie that employed this kind of style, the cinema variety mockumentary style, but I’ve been a fan of that even before since “Spinal Tap.” But “Blair Witch” definitely showed that if it’s done right with good acting and good writing and good editing, that type of movie can actually be very commercially successful.
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Doug Wright, renowned playwright and famed adapter, is gracing the San Diego community with his talents. August Strindberg’s psychological thriller “Creditors” has been reworked for a contemporary audience by none other than Wright himself, who also takes on the role of director to create a fresh look at a piece that still speaks emotionally.
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Architects (UK) and Bring Me The Horizon talk with The Daily Aztec
The United Kingdom has churned out some memorable musicians. From the smooth rock ‘n’ roll of The Beatles in the ‘60s to the piano-driven sounds of Coldplay at the cusp of the new millennium, the small cluster of water-logged land has provided the world with some serious auditory pleasure.
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Mario Lavandeira, best known as Perez Hilton, is a man who knows what he wants. In little more than five years, he has built himself from a fresh-faced New York University graduate, to the mastermind behind one of the Internet’s most popular celebrity blogging Web sites.
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Cancer is a big issue. In the 20th century, more than 100 million people died because of tobacco-related cancers alone. Though countless organizations aim to cure the disease, few target knowledge and prevention as the sole basis of their program. For Skate 4 Cancer founder Rob Dyer, cancer is a world-altering epidemic that needs to be stopped. The Toronto native sat down with The Daily Aztec at the 2009 Vans Warped Tour to talk cancer, the promise of the new generation and why the cure is knowledge.
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Metalcore lead singer gets creative in more ways than music and singing
Guitars, glitz and glamour — rock ‘n’ roll and fashion go hand in hand. For Bring Me The Horizon frontman and Drop Dead Clothing mastermind Oliver Sykes, the transition from MySpace star to metalcore band vocalist to clothing company owner and operator has been a seamless one.
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DA: So, Saosin is a local-ish band, right? Saosin bassist Chris Sorenson: Well, local-ish. Well, one member is from the area, from Vista. The rest of us are from Orange County – close enough. DA: So, I guess not really too close then. CS: Well, none of us live on the SDSU campus because none of us are students.
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DA: How would you describe Gallows’ sound? Gallows guitarist Laurent Barnard: A lot of people always ask me this question, and I always say it’s like a punch in the face, but you like it. Do you know what I mean? It’s a pretty vicious sound, but you get into it.
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DA: The label “pop-mosh” has been circulating in regard to your sound, but how would you guys describe your sound? ADTR: Dope. The band, dope. We’re like two different genres in one. We have our own genre. It’s basically a bunch of things.
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The Daily Aztec: So, your new album, “Old Crows/Young Cardinals” deputed on the Canadian charts at No.1. Alexisonfire drummer Jesse Ingelevics and vocalist George Pettit: Well, No. 2 I think. Black Eyed Peas snuck in there. Also, actually Michael Jackson, he screwed us on the iTunes charts.
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The Vans Warped Tour is one of North America's most notorious summer festival tours. For a little more than two months, a coalition of some of the best bands in the genres of rock, alternative, pop and more, travel the vast continent delivering hefty servings of music entertainment to hungry summer crowds.
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Now that Dan Finnerty is best known as the foul-mouthed wedding singer from “Old School” and more recently as the 50 Cent-covering performer from “The Hangover,” it’s clear that this guy isn’t your regular wedding singer. And, if you were wondering, Finnerty is only a wedding singer on the big screen.
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The Dane Cook comedy train has been hauling nationwide on his Global Thermo Comedy Tour, showcasing an hour-plus of new material that tosses the safety net and ventures off into a more edgy and darker routine.
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With the word “cool” thrown around to describe everything from San Diego’s weather to the latest “Twilight” trailer (well, for some of you) let it be known that choosing this adjective is not a casual endeavor. With that said, Jeremy Piven is cool.
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In lieu of his new movie “The Hangover,” Ed Helms sat down with The Daily Aztec to discuss and answer a few questions about his first leading role in a feature film. From a preppy, misunderstood character on the hit TV show “The Office,” Helms has finally made his way into the leading role on the big screen. He might portray the same kind of character with Stu Price, but Andy never married a stripper, got punched in the face by a former world champion boxer or pulled out his own tooth — just saying.
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Following in the seductive footsteps of Sharon Stone in “Basic Instinct” and Glenn Close in “Fatal Attraction,” comes “Heroes” star Ali Larter in the latest femme fatale movie to hit theaters: “Obsessed.”
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Bassist Matt Rubano chats about Twitter, Tom Petty and why it’s 'New Again'
Back when Taking Back Sunday released its first album, “Tell All Your Friends” in 2002, one would relish a trip to the record store to buy that antique item called a CD. Since those dark ages, Taking Back Sunday has released two more albums, with one more due out on June 2. Listening to its songs off each album not only brings a nod of your head to a unique beat, but also a nostalgia that won’t ever get old. The Daily Aztec had the opportunity to chat with Matt Rubano, bassist of the New York-based alternative rock band about music festivals, new technology, record labels and its latest unreleased album “New Again.”
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Finally, we can stop talking about the comeback of Robert Downey Jr. After watching his performance as a journalist with a heart of gold in “The Soloist,” he’s officially “back” … whatever that means.
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Whether you are a long time 'trekkie' or a curious sci-fi lover, you’ll be pleased
OK, it’s probably true that most people in the college demographic have no idea just how long the “Star Trek” franchise has been around. Many of you probably remember your parents mentioning they were fans of the show or perhaps even your media savvy grandparents can recall their indoctrination into the “trekkie” world with the premiere of the original “Star Trek” television series in 1966.
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“Yes, Delilah is a real girl,” Tom Higgenson stated in a recent interview. If you are familiar with the Grammy-nominated and Teen Choice Award-winning band, Plain White T’s, then you must be familiar with its hit single, “Hey There Delilah.”
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For however dark her lyrics may be, Rachael Yamagata is in no way an unhappy person. After listening to song after song that details heartbreak after heartbreak, one may assume that Yamagata is damaged, yet speaking with her feels like a revelation. She’s not one to dwell on what’s happened to her, but she has found her voice by singing about it.
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When they’re not busy headlining this year’s Sub City Take Action Tour or redefining today’s pop scene, the boys in pop band Cute Is What We Aim For take time to appreciate how lucky they really are. The Daily Aztec got to sit down with members Shaant Hacikyan, Jeff Czum and Dave Melillo to talk about what’s been going on in their world. The Daily Aztec: Why are you aiming for cute and not anything else?When they’re not busy headlining this year’s Sub City Take Action Tour or redefining today’s pop scene, the boys in pop band Cute Is What We Aim For take time to appreciate how lucky they really are. The Daily Aztec got to sit down with members Shaant Hacikyan, Jeff Czum and Dave Melillo to talk about what’s been going on in their world.
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Cut Off Your Hands doesn’t really want you to lose any limbs. The band’s name is more of a joke than a demand. And while its name may sound gruesome, its music is nothing of the sort.
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Up-close interview with makers of new comic book feature
Superheroes are supposed to be humanity’s idealized version of itself. The graphic novel “Watchmen” aimed to present the true portraits of the men behind the masks. The novel’s main thematic elements ask what compelled these crusaders to stand up for humankind behind a mask and what happened to them after their heydays?
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Touting a mix of punk rock vocals, metal guitars and hard-core influence, Canadian band Cancer Bats has climbed aboard the Winter Warped Tour, also known as the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour. We sat down with the self-proclaimed “lyrical assassin,” Liam Cormier to talk tours, venues and brain damage.
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Nowadays it is hard to find a college student who isn’t familiar with YouTube. And at the first mention of the YouTube sketch comedy sensation “The Whitest Kids U’Know,” you’re apt to get a smirk, then a laugh and then, a suggestion. “Have you seen the ‘Abe Lincoln’ sketch?” or “I love the ‘Period Skit’?”
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Les Claypool chats about his latest album and wild tour
If you’re a fan of the cartoon South Park, then you have probably heard him about a thousand times.
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Do you remember your last heartbreak? Singer and songwriter Jason Reeves certainly does, and he fully explores the theme in his latest album, “The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache (and Other Frightening Tales).”
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Darren Aronofsky gives the inside scoop on his newest hit film
Director Darren Aronofsky is finally back in the saddle again. And, most importantly, he’s receiving the directorial acclaim he deserves with his recent Golden Globe nods from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and critics alike for his most recent film project, “The Wrestler.”
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To promote her upcoming performance in the new film “The Wrestler,” Academy award- winning actress, Marisa Tomei (“My Cousin Vinnie”) met with The Daily Aztec for an intimate Q-and-A about her role in the film.
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Riding the recent passing of Proposition 8 is “Milk,” a riveting biopic about the ground-breaking accomplishments of America’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. Acting alongside Sean Penn, who plays Harvey Milk, James Franco embraces the role of Scott Smith. Franco’s character acts as the support system to Milk’s struggle for equality.
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Director of 'Trainspotting' and '28 Days Later' discusses his latest, disturbingly gritty film
It’s likely that most people have at least heard of a few of the cinematic pieces of art that director Danny Boyle has created. With movie titles such as “28 Days Later” and “Trainspotting” under his belt, it’s hard not to admit that this man deserves praise as a visionary director. Boyle’s new film “Slumdog Millionaire,” however, is a far cry from the aforementioned films.
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MCASD presents the fourth annual Cinefemme to honor female filmmakers
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla presented the Fourth Annual Cinefemme festival on Thursday. Cinefemme is a nonprofit organization based out of Los Angeles and San Francisco that presents female filmmakers who strive to push the envelope through cinema. Michelle Kantor is the director of two of the featured films, as well as the leader of the organization.
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Finally, the 'Twilight' book series is hitting the big screen
If you haven’t heard of “Twilight,” then you may have been living under a rock in Siberia for the past couple of years.
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Discovered by singer Josh Kelley, Wilkinson's bluesy rifts and lyrics are truly appealing
If you are fan of the bluesy, popish rifts of musical artist Josh Kelley, then you are probably going to enjoy the feminine version of him in the music of up-and-coming artist Alexa Wilkinson.
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If you don’t recognize the name Kevin Smith, then it is time to start watching good movies and paying attention to the rolling credits. Smith is the mastermind behind films such as “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Clerks II” and the blemish that is “Jersey Girl.”
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Russell Pollard of Everest talks about touring with Neil Young, western-style shirts and fame
From the hills of Los Angeles hails Everest, a five-piece band that’s come into the limelight very naturally, just as the members wanted it to. Each of the musicians has played with a slew of other bands through the years, such as The Watson Twins, Great Northern and John Vanderslice. They finally realized that they should put a halt to the other projects and come together to form what is now known as the band Everest.
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If you haven’t heard of the band Hellogoodbye, don’t be concerned — you will, eventually. Headed by lead singer/songwriter and guitarist Forrest Kline, Hellogoodbye is making waves with young people across the globe who are fans of their 2006 debut and only album, “Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!”
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Try and think of all the amazing things the great city of San Francisco is known for. You may start thinking of the hippie days of Haight-Ashbury, deadheads and the countless joints the city has seen. Or maybe your mouth starts salivating at the sound of the city and its cable cars because you have a secret love of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat. Well, add Von Iva to your list of San Fran sensations that leave lasting impressions in your ears and on your soul.
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The curtains draw back, revealing the silver screen. A cartoon penguin appears waddling in the tundra, forcing a wave of laughter, giggles and smiles from an audience filled with children and parents, along with just about every other demographic.
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In this Q&A, Quaid talks candidly about racial tensions in America
The thought of being on film and acting as if you were someone else is mind blowingly scary for those of us who do not act. To accurately and honestly portray an actual historical person seems like a nearly impossible feat. That is, unless you are a longtime acting professional such as Dennis Quaid.
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San Diego's four-day festival proved to be a great hit
It's a beautiful day in downtown San Diego, the birds are chirping, people are bustling about and taxi drivers are cussing and honking in sync. A plethora of people are making their way to the San Diego Film Festival, the city's seventh tribute to up-and-coming filmmakers, actors, artists and producer/directors. The four-day festival presented more than 75 features, including full-length films, short films, documentaries and surprisingly, music videos. Film Rocks! showcased 10 Californian and San Diegan artists' videos sponsored by Wonderland, a VIP service that "makes dreams come true" and enables people access to private jet services front row tickets to any concert, and exclusive sporting event tickets. An introduction from the founder was followed by 90 minutes of musical and cinematic genius.
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