Maria Fernandez - The Daily Lobo

Opinion

REVIEW: ‘Twisters’ is a disaster film in all the right ways

Maria Fernandez | July 26

Have you heard about the newest tornado movie? Here’s a spoiler: There’s a big twist at the end. “Twisters” — a sequel to director Jan de Bont’s 1996 film “Twister,” starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt — hit theaters on Friday, July 19. The new “Twisters” has been popping up on screens and its soundtrack has been playing nonstop on radios for the last couple of months. And while I admittedly had not seen the original “Twister” film before making my way to the theater on the sequel’s opening night, I knew it was a film I couldn’t miss.

Culture

Two days, 27 films, one prop guitar

Maria Fernandez | July 3

On Friday, June 21, the 48-Hour Film Project (48HFP) in Albuquerque held its 2024 “best of” screening and awards ceremony. During the opening ceremony of the 48HFP, participants are each given a random movie genre and a required prop. Then, the 48-hour clock starts, during which the filmmakers write, film, edit and musically score their films for submission. The top 12 films submitted are shown at the “best of” event for the season’s judges and an audience to watch. This year, competitors made 27 films total.

Culture

‘Nuclear Communities of the Southwest’ exhibit challenges the narrative of nuclear history

Maria Fernandez | June 28

From March to September of this year, the Albuquerque Museum, located in Old Town, is displaying “Nuclear Communities of the Southwest,” an exhibit that tells the story of the history of nuclear science and the people it continues to affect. The exhibit features historical objects and artist reactions to New Mexico’s involvement in nuclear development, according to the City of Albuquerque website. The 2023 release of the film “Oppenheimer” brought renewed interest to Los Alamos and the nuclear history of New Mexico.

Opinion

OPINION: The Grand Canyon through the eyes of a Daily Lobo photographer

Maria Fernandez | June 14

When I hit the road to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon National Park last month, I had one question on my mind: Is the Grand Canyon just as magical as people say? Most people can attest that often stories they hear about popular places can sound much grander than how they are in reality. I was curious if a landmark like the Grand Canyon, deemed one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” would live up to the hype.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 ways to make friends in college

Maria Fernandez | May 13

It can be daunting for new students to try to make friends in college. Here are five ways I recommend new students engage with the University of New Mexico community and make some new pals. .

Culture

Mackenzie Schwartz shows artistry and strength

Maria Fernandez | May 6

Writer, photographer and powerlifter Mackenzie Schwartz is graduating from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and three years at the Daily Lobo under her belt. Schwartz has had a passion for photography since high school and served as the Lobo photo editor for three semesters. She received the Mark Holm Photojournalism Award in 2023, which annually recognizes one Lobo photographer. “(My passion) has grown more over the years, working at the Daily Lobo (and) attending sports, protests and campus events,” Schwartz wrote.

Culture

Kiva Club holds ‘Honoring Our Mothers’ Powwow during Nizhoni Week

Maria Fernandez | May 3

On Sunday, April 28, the University of New Mexico Kiva Club hosted its annual Nizhoni Days Powwow on Johnson Field. The theme for this year’s powwow was “Honoring Our Mothers,” to honor women of every Indigenous community at the event, according to Kiva Club Communications Chair Lea Aguino. The Powwow marked the end of Nizhoni Days, a week-long celebration held by UNM American Indian Student Services that included board games, culture-focused conferences and craft classes. Nizhoni translates to "beautiful" in Diné, according to Aguino.

Culture

Therapy dogs make a paw-some impact with students at ‘Cuddle a Canine’

Maria Fernandez | April 22

On Thursday, April 18, therapy dogs from the Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers visited the University of New Mexico to help students decompress before finals week. The event encouraged UNM community members to take time out of their days to hang out with each dog and speak with their volunteers, event coordinator Lucia Pierce wrote. “This event really encourages a lot of conversation and so many people leave with a smile on their face. The canine volunteers really seem to enjoy their interactions too,” Pierce wrote.

Culture

B.o.B, Slums of Harvard and Indigo Waves wow the crowd at UNM Fiestas

Maria Fernandez | April 8

Fiestas, an event organized by the Associated Students at the University of New Mexico, took place on Johnson Field on Saturday, April 6. The event featured many talented artists in the lineup and closed with headliner, B.o.B. Albuquerque local band “Slums of Harvard” took the stage, busting out some of their most popular songs and giving the crowd their renditions of songs by other artists, such as Goodbye Forever and covers of “Holiday” by Green Day, “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects and “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” by Fall Out Boy.

Satire

UNMPD announces ‘Small Arms Division’: New animal task force comprised of T. rexes

Maria Fernandez | April 1

The University of New Mexico Police Department announced at a press conference on Wednesday, March 27 that they will expand the animal police force to include a pack of Tyrannosaurus rexes. T. rexes are known for their speed, agility and smarts. Their inherent sense for sniffing out blood will be utilized on the job. It will also be expanded to detect various paraphernalia and explosives, UNMPD Chief Ian Winterhalder said. The dinosaurs are capable of running at an impressive 12 miles per hour, faster than 90% of the current police force, according to UNMPD’s website.