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Culture

REVIEW: 'Avatar' rereleased: good or bad?

John Scott and Spenser Willden | October 3

Listen, I get it: Blue cat-people, Unobtanium, Sam Worthington and hair sex, if you watch the extended edition. James Cameron’s “Avatar,” released in 2009, is inherently a little bit bad. But watching the re-release in IMAX 3D this week, I can’t help but find myself completely bought in anyway — visually stunning, emotionally compelling and technologically impressive, I hate to say that “Avatar” is kind of good. It’s December 2009. “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas is dominating the radio. The economy is in shambles. People still can’t get enough of the most recent “Twilight” movie that just came out the month before. But you — all you are thinking about as you take your seat in a surprisingly crowded moviehouse with your 3D glasses is the film you are about to watch, a film that is about to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. Wait, sorry, I’m having trouble recalling the title … Oh! James Cameron’s “Avatar.”

Culture

UNM Theatre department previews fall shows

Elizabeth Secor | October 3

With their fall 2022 season, the University of New Mexico Department of Theatre & Dance has prepared a lineup of several plays for local audiences to enjoy, including “Frankenstein,” “The Season of La Llorona” and the bi-annual departmental Linnell Festival of New Plays. In this year's production of “The Season of La Llorona,” an overarching theme of the two non-Linnell Festival plays is the idea of monsters, and how we define them culturally, according to Manuel Lopez Ainza, an actor in the show.

Culture

Balloon Fiesta celebrates fifty years in the sky

Maddie Pukite | October 3

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta took flight for the 50th time at the Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday, Oct. 1st, sending hundreds of hot air balloons up into the sky once again to enchant the thousands of visitors who will gather from the first through the ninth of this month. The Fiesta is an event that attracts both balloonists and visitors from all over the world. The event being hosted in Albuqerque was no matter of chance: the so-called “Albuquerque Box,” a mix of weather patterns and landscape, provides the perfect conditions for flying, according to the Fiesta’s website.

Culture

ABQ Zine Fest showcases ama-zine artists

John Scott | October 3

This past Saturday, Oct. 1 marked the 11th annual ABQ Zine Fest, hosted at the Sanitary Tortilla Factory in downtown Albuquerque. Founded by Mayra Errin Jones, a Master of Fine Arts candidate in dramatic writing at the University of New Mexico, and co-produced by Liza Bley, the event served as a chance for local artists to showcase their handmade crafts amongst a crowd of artistic community members and newcomers alike. The word “zine” comes from a shortening of “magazine,” and can constitute a multitude of different interdisciplinary conceptions. Typically, zines are small booklets of original work created and copied by an artist for distribution.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 ways to de-stress while studying

Zara Roy | September 30

As we speed through the semester and midterms rapidly approach, it can be difficult to keep up with the grueling workload college brings. Lori Pinedo, a freshman nursing student at the University of New Mexico, has shared five tips for not letting schoolwork get the best of you while studying. Have a small distraction It can be easy to lose your cool when studying dense material, which is why Pinedo suggested keeping a piece of paper to the side to scribble on when you get frustrated by your work. “To not get worked up so fast and frustrated, have a piece of paper or just something to have on your hand,” Pinedo said.

Culture

10th Annual Cine Magnifico festival spotlights Latine filmmakers

Elizabeth Secor | September 26

The Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque hosted the 10th annual Cine Magnifico Latino Film Festival from Sept. 13-25, showcasing a variety of Latine films, directors and actors. On Friday, Sep. 23, the main program of the festival began with a viewing of “El Sustituto” (The Replacement) by Spanish film director Óscar Aibar and an opening cocktail party. Analy Morales Chavez, a worker at the festival, spoke on the original purpose behind the festival and the importance of hosting the event during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Culture

REVIEW: ‘Don’t Worry Darling:’ Don’t worry about seeing this movie

John Scott | September 22

Most moviegoers had Sept. 23, 2022 marked on their calendars since “Don’t Worry Darling,” writer-director Olivia Wilde’s follow-up to the surprise smash-hit “Booksmart,” was announced in August 2019. Gossip followers may have also had their eyes on that date after a series of reports involving various instances of drama on and off the set. Spitting accusations aside, we can now judge the film for ourselves. Unfortunately, more intriguing and exciting drama can be found surrounding the film rather than in the film itself.

Culture

Graduate student, worker finds community in Union

Maddie Pukite | September 19

Elizabeth Solis is a graduate worker at the University of New Mexico pursuing a master’s degree in biology who recently became more involved in the unionization efforts by graduate workers at the University after experiencing discrimination from those in her department. Through the United Graduate Workers at UNM, Solis found support, community and an avenue for change. “Since I started becoming active (in the Union), I then just met a bunch of people who I could relate to. We all share the same goals. We have the same frustrations because of how we're treated but also at the end it's just like, we support each other. And I think that is really the main thing for me,” Solis said.

Culture

5 and why: 5 fab date ideas in Albuquerque

Zara Roy | September 19

Time to pull out all the tops to woo that special someone. While it can be difficult for some to think up creative dates worthy of the one they love, University of New Mexico junior Will Kane has you covered as he lists his top five favorite date ideas in the Albuquerque area.

Culture

The fearsome femmes of horror advise you to jump off a cliff

Katrina Estrada | September 19

This past Friday, Sept. 17, the Bank of America Theater in the National Hispanic Cultural Center welcomed three experienced members of the film industry to speak about their roles as women in horror films as part of this year’s Albuquerque Film and Music Experience conference. This year, AFMX is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a major film festival in New Mexico by holding in-person and virtual events for everyone to enjoy, including a conversation with Dee Wallace, Deborah Voorhees and Monique Candelaria, entitled “Fearsome Femmes of Horror.”

Culture

SHAC celebrates Sexual Health Awareness Month

Maddie Pukite | September 19

This September, Student Health and Counseling at the University of New Mexico is doing their part in highlighting Sexual Health Awareness Month in an effort to encourage safe sex in the UNM community. One in four college students have a sexually transmited infection, according to the Health News Hub. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, gonorrhea and syphilis cases have gone up by 10% and 7% respectively since 2019, according to the Center for Disease Control. With students returning to campus for in-person classes, it is important to make sure they have a full understanding of the importance of sexual health, according to Benjamin Furguson, a health educator for SHAC.

Culture

Love letters show change in philosophy through the decades

Elizabeth Secor | September 19

Over the decades, love letters and poetry have changed and shaped as society evolved, and our ideas on romance and sexuality have shifted as well. However, at their core, they remain about what they have always been about: love. In today’s world, traditional styles of showing love, such as letters or poems, have become less relevant. However, Kathryn Wichelns, an associate professor of English at the University of New Mexico, still believes that poetry and love letters are important for their ability to showcase previously taboo forms of love as well as their unique ability to express certain emotions.

Culture

‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ presents classic rom-com fare with skill

Sierra Martinez | September 19

This review contains spoilers As any true romantic comedy lover knows, the key components to a classic early 2000s rom-com are simple and hardly ever disappoint. The setting must, of course, be New York City, one of the romantic leads must (obviously) be a journalist and there absolutely has to be a scene where one romantic lead chases the other down (preferably via cab or motorcycle) to tell them they love them before they make a life-altering decision.

Culture

Tips for maintaining healthy communication in arguments

Sierra Martinez | September 19

Throughout the course of any relationship, you may find yourself in a situation where you and your partner get into an argument. While some might see a lack of arguing as a sign of a healthy and successful relationship, this is not necessarily the case. Rather, arguments should be seen as opportunities for change, according to Heidi Ricci, an instructor at the University of New Mexico and a professional mediator of thirteen years.

Culture

REVIEW: “Bridgerton” Season Two triumphs in enemies-to-lovers perfection

Annya Loya | September 19

This review contains spoilers for “Bridgerton” Season Two On March 22, Netflix released the second season of hit show “Bridgerton,” bringing back the steamy series for a new wave of romance stronger, better and spicier than the first. Based on Julia Quinn’s best selling historical romances set in an alternate version of Regency era England, the second season of “Bridgerton” not only brought a stirring romance to the screen but also set the stage for wonderful romance still to come. The first season delivered a sheet-gripping story, and after living through Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke’s “fake relationship” trope, I couldn’t wait for what showrunner Chris Van Dusen had in store for eldest sibling Anthony in season two.

Culture

Silent Lights set to illuminate Smith Plaza

Spenser Willden | September 13

This Thursday, Sep. 15, “Silent Lights” will once again light up Smith Plaza as the University of New Mexico’s annual silent disco, free of charge for students and a plus-one. Silent Lights is an annual event put on by the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico, Lobo Spirit, Student Special Events, and University Communication and Marketing. When they enter the event, students will be given wireless headphones that they can use to tune into one of three DJ stages playing different genres of music through the night. According to organizer and Student Special Events executive director Devin Padilla-Munson, the goal is to create an event where all students can have a good time.

Culture

Southwest Film Center reels in film lovers across campus

Maddie Pukite | September 12

Located on the first floor of the Student Union Building, the Southwest Film Center offers free movie screenings and other events throughout the semester to all University of New Mexico students. The center provides film fanatics, like newly appointed SWFC executive director Rylee Norman, a voice within the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico. The SWFC offers students on campus a venue to enjoy arthouse films that may not be showing on other big screens near them, according to Norman. Not only that, but the center also helps to showcase student work.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 yummy places to eat around Albuquerque

Alizay Chavez | September 12

Albuquerque is a large city filled with amazing places to dine. According to University of New Mexico junior Evan Anaya, these five restaurants around Albuquerque are unmissable when considering a place to grab a bite with friends, on a date or alone. His suggestions might provide you with your next restful break from studying.

Culture

Thriving business, UNM present at Artwalk

Annya Loya | September 6

Despite bad weather, downtown Albuquerque continued with their traditional Artwalk on the month's first weekend on Friday, Sept. 2. Local artists decorated Central Avenue by 5 p.m. but started to clear out less than two hours later. While there was no more threat than gray skies and counted drops of rain, the slight wind was enough to run some vendors and buyers off as products began falling down or flying away.

Culture

REVIEW: John Boyega shines in tragic thriller ‘Breaking’

John Scott | September 6

In July 2017, former Lance Corporal Brian Brown-Easley entered a Wells Fargo bank in an Atlanta suburb and informed employees he had a bomb in his backpack that he would detonate if the Department of Veterans Affairs office did not provide him with his monthly disability payment. “Breaking,” released wide in the U.S. on Aug. 26, depicts that fateful day with a sympathetic eye, providing audiences with a taut and hard to watch thriller. The film, which marks the feature-length debut of director-screenwriter Abi Damaris Corbin, documents the unfolding of the robbery, only occasionally breaking off into flashbacks to establish Brown-Easely’s family life, military service and the events leading up to present day.