Culture

‘Sweethearts’ has charm

Revolution Studios’ “America’s Sweethearts,” directed by Joe Roth, is a feel-good summer romantic comedy.

New Conceptions

Conceptions Southwest is a biannual literary magazine published by the UNM Student Publications Board. The Spring 2001 issue is, like always, a showcase of creative work by members of the UNM community.

‘Poses’ a colorful lament of solitude

Central to Rufus Wainwright’s sophomore album Poses, besides his strong, dominating voice, is the recurrent theme of loneliness in the face of extravagance.

Arts in Brief

The Weekly Alibi will present its seventh annual Short Film Fiesta on Friday at 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30, 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. About 12 short films from around the country and world will be shown at the Kimo Theater, Fifth and Central Avenues. It is $5 for the matinees at 2:30 and 5 p.m. and $7 for the 7:30 and 10 p.m. showings. For more information, contact Alibi film editor Devin O’ Leary at 346-0660, ext 230.

‘Magnolia’ answer to tepid summer cinema

Upon viewing the vast expanse of soulless theatrical releases that currently plague cinemas this summer, it’s sometimes refreshing, and cheaper, to meander into a local video store and pick up a great movie. “Magnolia” is one of them.

Animation sets sci fi flick apart

I’ve seen the future, folks, and it’s not pretty. If the world described in the movie “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” is what humans have to look forward to, then we’ve got a big problem.

‘Procrustes’ a dark prison comedy

Set both in the days before the 1980 New Mexico State Penitentiary prison riots and in ancient Greek times, “The House of Procrustes” offers hilarious commentary on present-day prison issues in the United States.

‘Reverend’ sheds light on storied past

Reverend Horton Heat’s performance Tuesday night at the Sunshine Theater went off without a hitch, just as the band’s annual stops in the Duke City usually do.

Web Exclusive: EdgeFest 2001

‘Normal’ touching, honest

Anne D. LeClaire’s novel “Entering Normal” is a touching book that became even more endearing after I discussed the characters and story with LeClaire following her book signing at a local bookstore last week.

Bare Jr.’s garage rock to take over Sunshine Theater

Few bands can tour with the Black Crowes and survive. The band is well-known for its debauchery and for being a tough act to have to go on before. But Nashville-based Bare Jr. pulled it off and probably made it tough for the Crowes to top its act.

Navarro’s solo release reveals organic sound

I couldn’t help wanting to compare former Jane’s Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro’s first solo release Trust No One with the most recent release from current Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. Not because the two sound similar. In fact, Frusciante’s To Record Only Water For Ten Days sounds nothing like Trust No One.

Science advances religious art

It’s not often that things sacred can exist harmoniously with science. But the two mediums will do just that this weekend with the unveiling of “Santos: Substance & Soul (Sustancia Y Alma),” an artistic and scientific look into santeria, the age-old tradition of carving and painting wood saints, at Albuquerque’s National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Group built for loyal fan base

Built To Spill’s front man, singer/songwriter extraordinaire Doug Martsch has always been revered in the indie-pop world as a do-it-yourself guy. But I did not expect what I heard from the band’s publicist after I requested an interview with the band.

Journey to the center of "Atlantis"

I couldn’t wait for the Disney movie “Atlantis” to come out.

Festival Flamenco: Students learn secrets of Spanish artform

UNM has been recognized for its innovation in many areas of education, and this weekend the University will do its part to enrich the experience of students and patrons of the arts with the 15th Annual Festival Flamenco Internacional.

Janita to jazz up Albuquerque

When Scandinavian-born singer-songwriter Janita left her native Finland for New York City five years ago at the age of 17, she was thinking vacation. “When I came here, I thought it would be for two weeks,” Janita said from her Big Apple home. “When I told everyone I was moving here, I didn’t think I would be staying very long.” Now, Janita is looking to expand her career with her first American release, I’ll Be Fine, on the Carport Music Imprint. She has had top-10 hits and Grammy awards in both Finland and Asia since her career began at the age of 13. But she admits it was tough to expand in the fishbowl-like confines of Finland.

‘Animal’ fails to meet comedic expectations

The new movie, “Animal,” starring Rob Schneider and “Survivor’s” Colleen Haskell takes a bizarre look at the sexual desires of animals. Rob Schneider stars as Marvin Mange, a good-hearted guy who has an incredible amount of bad luck, as his movie characters usually do. Marvin’s dream is to become a police officer like his father, but he just can’t seem to get it right.

Thriller unveils hidden envy

Sometimes even the most normal families are hiding the darkest feelings inside. Fred Leebron’s psychological thriller “Six Figures” is the embodiment of twisting a knife inside and ripping the faáade of ordinary lives to physical and metaphoric shreds.

Duchovny finds a life beyond ‘X-Files’

Joining the list of anticipated summer movies this year is “Evolution,” the new effort from director Ivan Reitman. The film follows the events of a meteor crash in a small Arizona town.