I have mentioned before that I like studio films - good ones - but have also seen enough of them to recognize the off-the-shelf formulas, the test audience-driven elements, the ingredients calculated to elicit gasps, groans, cheers, arousal and - ideally - repeat business from various segments of moviegoers. Rare is the studio film that feels like its makers genuinely wanted to entertain you - most of them begin with a producer (or producers) deciding a given idea will attract a profitable audience, and everyone from the director on down making sure the resulting film does so. If moviegoers are lucky, it will be entertaining.

Independent movies, on the other hand, are made with a greater purpose in mind. Profit matters - always has, always will - but independent filmmakers know that art house audiences are after quality, not predictability, and that a good movie will typically yield good business.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is not an example of why I see independent movies. Read More

Robin Thicke is chilled out. His speaking voice, like his music, is velvety, with a little roughness around the edges. "I've loved soul music, gospel music and hip hop music since I can remember," Thicke tells andPOP. "Then I got into rock music like Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Stones. Nowadays, I feel my music is mostly soulful with always a little bit of rock and roll."

And this infusion seems to translate well for the auditory senses. His third album, Something Else, was released last week, following last year's The Evolution of Robin Thicke. From the album titles alone, Thicke's movement through his musical journey seems largely motivated by ideas of change and progression; in fact, he says the new album's title signifies "a time for a change," but is sure to note that the "soul and heart" from the last album are the same. Read More

What happens when you send an andPOP crew to cover a texting contest? Watch to find out. Read More

For those that say original ideas are dead in the world of video games, guess again as a new spin on an old aspect can revive an entire genre. Lock’s Quest, developed by 5th Cell and published by Play THQ (THQ’s new casual gaming label) is the next release from the creator (and first DS project) of the innovative and unique RPG, “Drawn to Life”. This yet again innovative Nintendo DS title was released September 8th, 2008 and promises more unique gameplay not found anywhere else. That being said, it seems a little odd that I tout it’s uniqueness, yet mention that it’s a take on an old feature, what I mean by this, is that Lock’s Quest reminded me a lot of the mini-game where you must defend the egg at fort Condor in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7. Read More