4-D films offer new paradigm


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The last few years’ 3-D films have graduated from being perceived as a fad to a fully established part of the movie industry. The addition of 3-D seemed gimmicky at first as films had been able to adequately convey depth and stories in the traditional 2-D format. We have begun to see directors not only […]

Emojis are inadequate replacement for words


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My phone was battered and beaten when I entered the Apple Store two weeks ago. Luckily my phone was insured (thanks, Mom) and the genius at the Genius Bar simply issued me a replacement. And like that, I had a new phone. Of course, it wasn’t quite that simple. I hadn’t backed up my phone […]

Sexy male outfits not degrading


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A wise character in Mean Girls once said: “In girl world, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” These words will forever be associated with the modern expectations of a proper Halloween costume. Add the words “sexy” or […]

Stickers open new market


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Growing up, just about everything I did revolved around stickers. If I did well on a homework assignment at school, I’d get a sticker. If I played through a piano piece with no mistakes, I’d get a sticker. If my parents thought I was behaving well, they’d take me to the sticker store … and […]

Female vocalists stand out


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With the release of Katy Perry’s Prism and Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz, all eyes are on the leading ladies of the music industry — women who have incited both criticism and praise for their recent decisions. The artists featured in this week’s list are refreshing additions to the recent flood of ladies making waves in the […]

Scandal takes the spotlight


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This Friday marks the U.S. release of the French film Blue is the Warmest Color. Filled with compelling insights and angles, this film is by no means your average movie import. The film just won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival this summer and has gotten rave reviews and received a […]

Facebook threatens privacy


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It’s hard to peer into the future, but I think it’s safe to say that no other startup will ever top Facebook as the ultimate forces-you-to-become-a-stalker social network. OK, some context here. Last week, I posted a photo with a list of Halloween costumes on my friend’s wall. The photo was of a particularly creative […]

Sports can be socially beneficial


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Bars are an easy solution to a long week at work or school. Are bars the only option, though, for 20-somethings in a thriving urban center such as Los Angeles? Absolutely not. If you’re looking to unwind and meet people, give recreational sports leagues a try — the positives will outweigh any apprehension you might […]

Tech-free life has its benefits


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Technology can feel burdensome after a while, since smartphones and social media make it so that you’re unofficially on call 24/7 for your friends, family, peers and professors. Even Randi Zuckerberg, whose brother, Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of one of the largest social network enterprises in the world, agrees that we’re all getting a […]

Songs should be listened to legally


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We’re going to take a little break from the traditional weekly playlists to explore an important topic: music purchases. Back in my middle school days, when I filled my iTunes library with numerous Fall Out Boy singles, the concept of paying for online music simply did not exist. Why in the world would I do […]