Review

Culture

Review: Manion's stories a dismal read

Skylar Griego | January 6

here are few moments when critics find themselves at a loss for words. Reading Lance Manion’s collection of short stories titled “The Song Between Her Legs” was one of those rare speechless moments. From the very first page, on which Manion quotes himself, this is one of the worst things a person can ever have the misfortune of being subjected to. These stories assault the reader’s IQ relentlessly until there is nothing left but a bloody pile of broken bones and torn flesh. One might literally feel the intelligence being sucked out of them while reading about two men arguing over whether the peanut is the preferred nut of the upper or the lower class, as in “Mr. Peanut.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Culture

Review: 'Memphis' breaks film convention

Graham Gentz | October 23

Alfred Hitchcock once famously said, “Drama is life with the dull parts left out.” However, Tim Sutton’s “Memphis” exists in the moments that most movies leave on the cutting room floor.It exists as a tonal, visual poem. Yet it ripples with nebulous purpose, executing laissez-faire intention.

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Culture

Play Review: "As Five Years Pass" features a surreal experience

Graham Gentz | September 29

It's really difficult to write about something so surreal.“As Five Years Pass” is functionally a play.

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Opinion

Review: Skit and dance show unique and hilarious

Graham Gentz | June 22

It takes an entire year for the Equilibrium Theater Company and Buen Viaje Dance Company to prepare their show, so you’d figure it ought to be good. You’d be right. The show this year is called “North Fourth Night Live! and BVD Does Broadway.” It runs about an hour, the first half with Equilibrium doing a series of skits, and the second half with Buen Viaje’s dance pieces.