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Culture

Movie review: Space film grounded by too much ambition

Graham Gentz | December 4

I think I’m mostly sad that I didn’t like “Interstellar.” It seemed like everything was in place for it to be an intriguing, Chris Nolan-directed epic about space that pushed more science than science fiction. Also, it seemed to push the reality of humanity truly beginning its first steps into colonizing beyond Earth. In terms of subject matter, there is almost nothing that fascinates and excites me more. “Interstellar” is about a team of space explorers, led by a farmer (Mathew McConaughey), who search for a habitable planet because the Earth is dying. What I didn’t expect was how completely goofy it was going to be.

Culture

Column: A coffee a day keeps the fatigue away

Ana Jayme | December 2

One venti iced coffee with two shots of espresso, please. Coffee is the the perfect beverage for pulling all-nighters but students should be wary about using copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake.

Culture

Gifting from the heart: Homemade items worth the time

Meagan Twyeffort | December 2

By MeagenTwyeffort While throngs of people wait in line for hours at the closest outlet store, craft stores and thrift shops can be much less popular type of year.

An average U.S. college student spends around $1,200 per year on textbooks, according to The College Board. To combat this, UNM has created the Course Materials Committee, which aims to keep college affordable.

Culture

Textbooks drain pocketbooks

Ana Jayme | December 1

Two hundred dollars can go a long way for a college student, but most have been spending that amount on a single textbook. The average college student in the United States spends around $1,200 per year on books and supplies, according to The College Board. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that textbook prices have doubled in the past decade, and it is putting a damper on students both financially and academically. In 2013 the Student Public Interest Research Groups conducted a survey, titled â€œFixing the Broken Textbook Market,â€ of 2,039 students from more than 150 college campuses, they found that 65 percent of students surveyed decided against buying a textbook because of a high price.

Culture

Food column: Turkey day made easy and delicious

Steve “Mo” Fye | November 26

So many people panic when it comes time to cook their first Thanksgiving feast. With some good planning and a few tips, the traditional meal can be a snap. Before beginning, make sure there are sufficient serving utensils, serving bowls, platters, china and cutlery for all your guests. New cooks often find they are short on these.

Culture

Students build connections with Lobo Builders

Mateo Rocha | November 26

A new student group at UNM seeks to create a network for soon-to-be building industry entrepreneurs Lobo Builders is branching out to a diverse student resource in order to build upon their goals and visions of success in business. Mercedes Morton, secretary and treasurer for the Lobo Builders, said the name might confuse people.

Culture

Movie review: Riveting film "Snowpiercer" gives up no momentum

Graham Gentz | November 26

With the Thanksgiving weekend arriving soon, you may need a little help with Netflix "Video Store Killer" Inc. to get you through the duller bits of the holiday. "Snowpiercerâ€ might brighten those precious family moments.

Culture

Record & Review: The Afghan Whigs' "Do to the Beast"

Skylar Griego | November 25

In this day and age, no one likes to be labeled. People profusely protest being branded based on our sexuality, gender, race, or stylistic tastes. Since 1986, the Afghan Whigs have been the personification of this idea because of the music they make. The reunited band’s unusual music refuses to fit within one genre. Three years after the release of their last album, “1965,” the Afghan Whigs amicably split in 2001 due to complications preventing the members from continuing to produce music together. After the band accounced its reunion in 2012, fans have finally been rewarded for their loyalty with the release of the band’s first album in 16 years, “Do to the Beast.”

Shirley Johnson (left) and Seth Kazmar (right), head coaches of the Ridgebacks quidditch team, attempt to score against Vince DiBernardo (center) in a practice match Thursday at Johnson Field. Quidditch is the sport from the world of Harry Potter, and the Ridgebacks are still hosting tryouts for tournaments next year.

Culture

Off the page, onto the field

Moriah Carty | November 25

Quidditch, the sport in the world of Harry Potter, is spreading from its roots in Europe to the United States. For many it is a dream come true. Farzad Sangari, director of the quidditch documentary, “Mudbloods,” said he was excited to turn a fictional game into a reality. The film was released worldwide Oct. 21. “Mudbloods” is not only his first full-length feature film but it is the first one to document the game.

Culture

Five & Why: What Lobos love to read with Victoria Blythe

Skylar Griego | November 25

Sometimes the most valuable lessons can be learned from books. They have a way of getting through to us in a way that other things or people can’t. Victoria Blythe, a freshman history major, said she’s learned a lot from her favorite books.

Culture

Coping with stress a mental health matter

Lauren Marvin and Ana Jayme | November 20

A murky, gray fog has surrounded UNM as the end of the fall semester looms, overwhelming even the toughest of college students. That makes this a good time for Mental Health Wellness Week, which occurs Nov. 16-22. Founded by national non-profit Freedom From Fear, the campaign is meant to educate communities on how to implement mental health strategies into their lives and to facilitate programs centered on mental health, according to the Mental Health Wellness Week’s website. Mental health is how people think, act and cope with life and the stressors and challenges that come with experiences, according to the website.

Culture

Play review: Science and stage don't mix

Graham Gentz | November 20

So I walked out in the middle of “One-Act Science Comedic Showcase” at Explora. It’s not so much that it’s beyond awful, which it is. It’s not so much that you should never consider subjecting yourself to it, which you shouldn’t. Mostly, it’s that “One-Act Science Comedic Showcase” should never have been allowed to go up in the first place. Also, it’s a complete embarrassment that Explora is even asking people to pay money to see it.

Aaron Trumm received a lung transplant in July 2013 after suffering from cystic fibrosis his whole life. He is currently training for the 20th World Transplant Games in Argentina.

Culture

Transplant breathes new life

Meagen Twyeffort | November 19

The gun went off, Aaron Trumm shot up from his crouched position and sprinted with exhilaration rushing through his veins, his lungs expand to 90 percent capacity. Just one year after his lung transplant in July 2013, Trumm won the bronze award in the 100-meter dash at the Transplant Games of America in Houston, Texas.

Culture

Book Review: 'Blood of Olympus' pleases fans

Skylar Griego | November 19

Warning: If you have not read of the other books in “The Heroes of Olympus” series prior to this one, this review contains spoilers from the past four installments of this series.

Culture

Five & Why with Joseph Bartolotta

Skylar Griego | November 18

Life is yet another reason to add to the endless list of why people read books. Some people enjoy reading because they want to feel as if they are living the lives of the characters. This can be seen in the types of books Joseph Bartolotta, Lecturer III of English, said are his five favorites.

The Rev. Phil Sano, founder of Bike Smut and co-director of “Bike Porn,” addresses the crowd on Sunday night at the Guild Cinema for this year’s Pornotopia. Pornotopia is a film festival that celebrates the diversity of human sexuality and encompasses a wide variety of shows catered to all sexual fancies.

Culture

Film festival heats up Albuquerque

Moriah Carty | November 18

As the weather around the state cooled down, things heated up in Albuquerque at the fifth annual Pornotopia. More than 500 people attended the film festival organized by the Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center. Titles such as “Lesbians of Enchantment,” “Fistbump,” “Putting the Sex Back into Sex Education” and “Bike Porn,” among others, filled the Pornotopia itinerary.

Culture

Play review: Uncut 'Midsummer' drags

Graham Gentz | November 13

Albuquerque is really testing how much I like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Duke City Repertory Company produced the play this past March. The Vortex Theatre performed it in the plaza this summer, even after producing two other productions of it in the last four years. Even The Santa Fe Shakespeare Society performed a popular version of the play in 2012. “Midsummer” exists as two main plots that intersect: a group of lovers and a troupe of actors each escape to the seclusion of a forest, only to be both futzed with by nefarious fairies. Hijinks ensue.

Culture

Celtic punk soon to invade Albuquerque

Mateo Rocha | November 13

For more than 18 years the Dropkick Murphys have composed and rattled audiences with their strong lyrics layered over a hybrid genre of Celtic punk. Despite the jovial sound of bagpipes, punk riffs and spirited chanting, the songs carry profound meanings that relate to the harsh realities of life. As Matt Kelly, drummer for the Murphys, puts it, “It is the dichotomy of Irish folk music.” The Murphys’ Celtic Punk Invasion tour is well on its way, invading North America, Latin America and Europe, and little ol’ Albuquerque has not been spared. The band will play at 8 p.m. today at the Sunshine Theatre with Blood or Whiskey and Bryan McPherson. Here is a Q&A session with Kelly on the band’s experiences and directives through the years:

Culture

Sweater yourselves; winter is coming

Courtney Salinger | November 13

It’s the time of year when soft, warm, cozy fall sweaters take over most clothing stores. Their dark, smoldering and sometimes fun appeal attracts many fashion-savvy women. But what is it about fall sweaters that gets a fashionista’s heart racing? It’s all about the versatility. Fall sweaters are versatile in ways unimaginable. They can be worn over a dress, with a skirt and with leggings. The possibilities are endless; they are interchangeable. Fall sweaters usually consist of darker colors and thick, comfortable fabrics. They are great to wear because they keep one looking dashing and snug while adding a bit of class and flair to any ensemble.

Principal dancer Marisol Encinias performs her solo for the event Yjastros: Vivimos! on Friday night at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Yjastros: Vivimos! is the first full theatre performance of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company since a fire devastated their flamenco studio last December.

Culture

Flamenco group rebounds after fire guts studio

Moriah Carty | November 12

Not even a fire can put out the passion of New Mexico flamenco dancers. The non-profit organization, National Institute of Flamenco, and dance company Yjastros held their biannual show at the National Hispanic Cultural Center last weekend after a fire of unknown cause destroyed the institute last December. Marisol Encinas, a fourth-generation flamenco dancer, said Yjastros performs “Vivimos” every spring and fall, but after the fire, the company was unable to hold their spring performance because they lost most of their costumes and practice space.