Culture

Culture

Movie Review: "Molly's Game" an impressive but not outstanding offering from Aaron Sorkin

Hector Valverede | January 25

Aaron Sorkin has the enviable notoriety of being the best film and television screenwriter around, due to his razor-sharp dialogue and tight narrative composition. He’s also a superb playwright in his own right. Sorkin’s touch can turn the most mundane of circumstances (see “Moneyball”) into pure cinematic gold. With “Molly’s Game,” Sorkin has ventured into a directorial position on top of writing its screenplay, and while he’s mostly successful in both regards, he never quite matches the past highs of his previous award-winning work. Like many of Sorkin’s other works, “Molly’s Game” is based on a true story.

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Culture

Movie Review: Del Toro creates another masterpiece

Hector Valverede | January 25

Guillermo del Toro has been one of the best working auteurs in Hollywood for several decades now — and for good reason. As a director, del Toro has the unique ability to go all-in big in his films while retaining thoughtful storytelling substance. In combination with very fun yet thoughtful scripts, his love of practical effects often conjures up twisted creatures and sequences that always make for memorable cinematic experiences.

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Culture

Movie Review: All-star cast makes "Downsizing" worth a watch

Hector Valverde | January 24

We live in an uneasy geopolitical climate these days. Whether that concerns international relations, social troubles or impending environmental doom to you, these matters are of undoubtedly high relevance in our contemporary politics. Not to be defeated by these trying problems, Alexander Payne has addressed them in a challenging but inspiring way in his latest film, “Downsizing.” Set in a contemporary future, Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) lives an unfulfilling life as an occupational therapist at Omaha Steaks.

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Culture

First Poet Laureate of ABQ to give talk at UNM

Aaron Cowan | January 24

Hakim Bellamy, the first Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, will give a talk through the Alumni Association at Hodgin Hall on Jan. 25 on his journey in the creative community, since coming here in 2005. Bellamy, a writer, actor and award-winning activist said these kinds of pursuits were not originally part of his intended career path.

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Culture

Photo Story: Ice climbers make annual pilgrimage to Colorado mountains

Colton Newman | January 24

Every year Ouray Colorado, popularly known as the Switzerland of America, holds the world’s largest gathering of ice climbers. This year’s 2018 Ouray Ice Festival was held from Jan. 18 through 21. During these four chilly days the usually dormant, sleepy town hidden in the valley of towering mountains of Colorado comes alive with festivities.

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News

Rolling Stone reporter to present at Kiva

Madison Spratto | January 23

In today’s information-saturated world, it can be challenging to separate which reporting is legitimate or “fake.” Matt Taibbi plans on tackling this topic in a presentation Wednesday evening at the Kiva Auditorium. Taibbi is an award-winning investigative reporter for Rolling Stone Magazine and the author of several books, such as “I Can’t Breathe: A Killing on Bay Street.” His talk, “The Problems of Reporting in the Internet Age (and How to Counter Them),” will address issues directly relevant to journalism students, said David Weiss, department chair and associate professor for the Department of Communication & Journalism, who will facilitate the event. However, the information will also be of interest to the Albuquerque and University of New Mexico community.

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Culture

UNM students host unique medical fundraiser

Nichole Harwood | January 21

Positive energy sizzled through the air as men and women of all ages attended the First Annual Masquerade for Medicine at Hotel Albuquerque Saturday night. The masquerade was a 21-and-over fundraiser. Proceeds benefitted One Hope Centro de Vida Health Center and Albuquerque Opportunity Center Clinic. VIP tickets included a session beginning at 7 p.m. with hor d'oeuvres, live music, guest speakers and live artist Erin Vega working on a painting.

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Culture

Movie Review: Franco brothers deliver excellent performance in "The Disaster Artist"

Hector Valverede | January 21

“Oh hi, Mark.” Anyone even remotely familiar with the film “The Room” (not to be confused with “Room,” an Oscar-winning film) can attest to its place as possibly the best worst film ever made. Teeming with surreally bad dialogue and puzzling performances all around, “The Room” has become a cherished cult classic in recent years, thanks to its sheer ridiculousness. “The Disaster Artist” is a delightful adaptation of Greg Sestero’s memoir of the same name chronicling his experiences in making “The Room.”

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Culture

Review: Pilobolus tells story with dance

Amy Byres | January 21

Audience members were captured by dance group Pilobolus’ performance at Popejoy Hall Friday night. As the lights went down, the group opened by greeting the audience. In a more comical, light-hearted introduction, they leaped over and on each other shouting, “Hey.” Once audience members were acquainted to the group, they were completely captivated by Pilobolus’ next dance.

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Culture

Review: "Lady Bird" tops off 2017 in style

Hector Valverde | January 18

With “Spiderman: Homecoming,” “IT” and now capped off with “Lady Bird,” 2017 was a great year for coming-of-age films. In particular, “Lady Bird” has been receiving copious amounts of awards buzz, ranging from supporting to lead role nominations while garnering screenplay and directorial plaudits as well. It even held a 100 percent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes for a solid while, breaking a record not matched since 1999’s “Toy Story 2.”

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News

Student org supports women in STEM fields

Ariel Lutnesky | January 18

Discrimination can be difficult to overcome. This can be especially true for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields. Ph.D. student Stephanie Fox, who studies evolutionary anthropology, is the president of the University of New Mexico’s Advancing Women in Science club, which is dedicated to fighting obstacles that women in science face. “Ultimately, we’d like a world where women are unequivocally treated equally to men in STEM fields,” Fox said. “We will keep fighting for that, but until then, we will try to equip women with the skills necessary to persist in STEM.”

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Culture

Daily Lobo alum shares photography of 9/11

Elizabeth Sanchez | January 17

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of alumni profiles of former Daily Lobo contributors, as part of an effort to connect current readers and contributors to the past and present. Continue to follow the Daily Lobo for more. Photographer Rikki Reich’s most significant body of work to date is her Sept. 11 portfolio, “The Voice of the Silence,” which is included in the photographic collections in the Library of Congress Photographic Collection, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum. “The Voice of the Silence,” has never been exhibited in its entirety, she said. The work debuted at the aipad Photography Show in New York in 2012.

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Culture

ABQ Nosh Fest celebrates Jewish heritage

Aaron Cowan | January 16

People of all ages and backgrounds packed the Embassy Suites Hotel this Sunday for the first annual Jewish food festival. Dubbed the ABQ Nosh Fest, the event featured over 40 different food vendors and a variety of activities for the whole family, including a photo booth, a kids’ zone and a football “playoff zone,” courtesy of Baillo’s Electronics.

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Culture

Almuni Connection: UNM alum and family pursue entrepreneurship as travel journalists and bloggers

Nichole Harwood | January 15

University of New Mexico alum Jessica Sanchez and her family actively pursue a new entrepreneurial path as a family of travel journalists and bloggers, one that has lead to a unique opportunity. Sanchez and her family have been selected as part of the top 50 applicants considered for the Cancun Experience Officer position for Cancun.com. This position had over 6,000 applicants. Announcements on whether Sanchez and her family will rise from the top 50 to the top 10 will be made Jan. 17.

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Culture

Movie Review: "Jumanji" remake a light-hearted entertainer

Timber Mabes | January 15

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” offers a modern twist to the original 1995 film, “Jumanji,” in which a group of kids is trapped inside a board game. Released on Dec. 20, the sequel shares a similar story with its predecessor, but instead, it follows a group of highschoolers who are trapped in a video game and must escape, before losing all their digital — and eventually real — lives. Both movies include a well-known cast. Just as the original film featured the much-loved Robin Williams, the new “Jumanji” casts the hunky Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the hilarious Jack Black and Kevin Hart, and the teenage heart-throb, Nick Jonas.

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Culture

Movie Review: "Coco" captures Mexican family culture beautifully

Hector Valverede | January 15

As a Mexican immigrant, Pixar’s latest offering, “Coco,” touched my roots and in many ways felt like it was made just for me. Set during El Día de los Muertos, the film provides dignified insight into the connections that bind family between life, death and all things in between. Young Anthony Gonzalez stars as Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a musician following in the footsteps of his hero, Ernesto de la Cruz. Unfortunately, music has become banned in his family, due to a secret long-held through generations before him. In an effort to demonstrate his passion for music, Miguel steals a guitar and is cursed to the Land of the Dead. To return to his living family, Miguel must traverse the Land of the Dead and receive his ancestors’ blessing by reminding them the value of music.

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Culture

Fandoms come together at ABQ Comic Con

Nichole Harwood | January 15

Mayor Tim Keller addressed the media Friday, on the opening day of Albuquerque Comic Con 2018, highlighting the importance the event held for city residents. “It’s very fun, it’s for all ages and it basically unites things like pop culture and media with a personal learning experience,” Keller said. Keller mentioned there were many stars who visited Albuquerque for the con, such as Danny Trejo and one of his personal favorites, Sin Quirin, who is a member of the industrial metal band Ministry.

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Culture

UNM student shoots for Miss Black USA title

Rebecca Brusseau | January 15

Shyla Lavalle hopes to focus on black womanhood and awareness of black mental health in her 2018 campaign as Miss Black USA in preparation for the pageant this August. Lavalle, a third-year University of New Mexico student majoring in Public Communications and Africana Studies, received her title and crown as Miss Black New Mexico in August of 2016 and has held the position since. Her original campaign was based on the platform of promoting black womanhood and awareness of environmental distress, she said.

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Culture

ABQ Comic Con welcomes autistic community

Sherri Barth | January 15

For Taylor Risse, a teen living with autism, comic-cons are special. “I went to the Santa Fe ComicCon a couple of months ago and had a blast,” he said. “I met a couple of movie stars, the guy who played Spike on the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Colin Baker of Dr. Who.” The eighth Annual Albuquerque Comic Con at the Albuquerque Convention Center kicked off a three-day event Friday, which included the Sensitivity Opening, which accommodated Taylor and other kids living with autism. The Sensitivity Opening was intended to give these children an opportunity to experience the fun of superheroes and comic book characters without being overwhelmed by crowds.

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Culture

Alumni Connection: UNM alums pioneer tea company

Nichole Harwood | January 7

Old Barrel Tea Company is beginning its embark to sweep through the nation, introducing Americans to the business’ teas and products. The company began in 2015 and has multiple locations in New Mexico including one in Old Town, and is pursuing its first location outside of the state in Durango, Colorado. The business was founded by Bailey Huffmon, her sister-in-law Paola Huffmon, Dana Huffmon and Nedada Huffmon.