Arts and Entertainment

Ranking the top 10 silver screen portrayals of true crimes

Movies and TV shows based on true crime are about so much more than the crimes themselves — they provide filmmakers with a medium to tell compelling stories of the complex layers of our human condition. Whether heavily fictionalized or strictly factual, these stories are all the same at their core: they point to the shared humanity we all possess, the good and the bad. The result is an expansive genre that is far more artful and diverse than many would think. From serial murder to con men and securities fraud, here are my top 10 movies and TV shows based on true crime. 

Pop culture that defined a year of COVID

A year ago in March 2020, no one was prepared for how life would change due to COVID-19. The average student likely had little idea of how their lives would likely be dominated by Zoom, social distancing and uncertainty. Now that we’re in March 2021, the past year seems incredibly monumental in the change it caused to human existence around the world. Here, I sum up some of the most noteworthy cultural happenings that defined our year in quarantine.  

The show goes on: 'Hello, Hamlet!' adapted for the screen after a year of delays

This past Saturday, Feb. 28, Wiess Tabletop Theatre streamed their quadrennial rendition of “Hello, Hamlet! A Play in Too Many Scenes,” a comedic retelling of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Performed roughly every four years since 1967, the musical is characterized by pop culture references and songs from movies and other musicals, rewritten each time to stay relevant. After the 2020 production was put on hold shortly before its premiere due to COVID-19 restrictions, it took a year for it to be adapted to digital media, starting nearly from the ground up.

Out of the shadows: “Electrifying Design” celebrates century of light

Just days after the city of Houston was in its most desperate need of light, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston unveiled an unparalleled beacon of brilliance. “Electrifying Design: A Century of Lighting” opened last week as the first large-scale U.S. exhibition to examine both the technological and artistic innovations in international lighting design. Through three thematic galleries, audiences are invited to see lamps, chandeliers and the humble bulb in a whole new light.  

‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’: Andra Day shines while others are left behind

It can be hard to imagine that Andra Day, who plays legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” has never played a leading role before. Better known for her success in the R&B music scene than on the silver screen, Day beautifully captures the spotlight and Holiday’s essence: her swagger, her love for gaudy jewelry and clothes and especially her voice. The same success, however, cannot be said for the rest of the movie, directed by Lee Daniels and written by Suzan-Lori Park. Though it boasts a talented star-studded cast, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" largely fails to do justice to Holiday's life and legacy due to shallow writing and confusing plot development. 

Top 10 Best of Daft Punk

On Feb. 22, electronic duo Daft Punk unexpectedly announced their retirement after 28 years of prolific influence on the music industry with a short video featuring one of the duo's robots dramatically exploding. Emerging in 1993 out of the Paris underground rave scene, Daft Punk’s music effortlessly combined influences from disco, funk, R&B and even the Chicago house genre. The duo’s enigmatic robot personas allowed them to avoid the media and uniquely transcend the limitations of age, relevance and appearance to continuously create musical masterpieces. By choosing anonymity, Daft Punk maintained a focus on their creative freedom and musical quality, managing to evade the corrupting forces of fame and ego.  

KTRU Cozy Show brings local talent to student screens

Last Friday, Feb. 26, KTRU held its fourth annual Cozy Show, and it was unlike any year before. Instead of going to see and hear the featured artists perform live on Rice campus, this year’s audience was invited to enjoy the show from the comfort of their homes as the artists’ performances were streamed on KTRU’s Facebook and YouTube pages, marking the radio station’s first completely virtual concert.  

The life and work of filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith

Ya’Ke Smith, filmmaker and associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication, channels his powerful prose and uncompromising storytelling to rewrite traditional narratives of Black Americans in film. 

Weekly Scenes and Screens: Mar. 3

Predicting the 2021 Golden Globe Awards

 The Golden Globes, often described as the precursor — and sometimes inferior sibling — to the Oscars and the Emmys, are happening this Sunday, Feb. 28 and I will be taking you through my predictions for the biggest categories in film and (some) television. Buckle up … because, once again, it is very beige. 

“Meet Houston’s Artists” docuseries and group exhibit to reflect on empathy

Houston artist MoNique LeRoux opens her docuseries “Meet Houston’s Artists” by acknowledging the upheaval of normal life in the past year in the past year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn and Black Lives Matter protests. The tumultuous events of 2020 were key motivations for LeRoux to produce her docuseries, which highlights 14 local artists and how they were impacted by the pandemic. The docuseries culminated in a physical art exhibit, which opened Saturday, Feb. 13 at Sabine Street Studios.  

Weekly Scenes and Screens: Feb. 24

Black and Proud: Celebrate Black History Month with these LGBTQ+ artists

As Black History Month continues, we must remind ourselves that Black culture encompasses the bonds made between different genders and sexualities as well. Intersectionality is important to make sure all Black voices are heard. 

Houston Symphony partners with visual artist to bring music to life

Last weekend, valentines and palentines alike joined visual artist Topher Sipes and the Houston Symphony as they performed “Music Illustrated: Virtual Reality in Concert” at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. 3D digital art drawn live by Sipes with Google Tilt Brush software and orchestral music conducted by Ming Luke combined to create a mesmerizing experience for viewers. 

Weekly Scenes and Screens: Feb. 17

Weekly Scenes and Screens: Feb. 10

The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Valentine’s Day in COVID Times

Love is in the air, but so is the novel coronavirus. Thus, everyone’s favorite Hallmark-sponsored holiday is going to look a bit different this year. It may seem like the only option for Rice students is to buy your special someone a fancy latte from Brochstein or take a romantic couple’s walk to Reckling Roost for a LAMP test, but we’re here to broaden your options. Whether you’re looking for a socially distant picnic date, cupid-themed photoshoots or even just sending yourself a well-deserved box of chocolates, there’s something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. Check out our guide down below for date ideas, local events, florists and chocolatiers.  

“Artists and the Rothko Chapel: 50 Years of Inspiration” to open at the Moody Center

The Moody Center for The Arts’ spring 2021 exhibition, “Artists and the Rothko Chapel: 50 Years of Inspiration,” will open to the public Tuesday, Feb. 16. A celebration of the legacy and influence of the Rothko Chapel, the two-part show includes a restaging of “Marden, Novros, Rothko: Painting in the Age of Actuality,” a 1975 campus art exhibit held in response to the chapel, as well as contemporary abstract works that reflect the chapel’s influence on artists today. 

Fondren art installation “Portal of Healing” prompts reflections on grief and resilience

“We will cross this bridge together.” This sentiment, expressed by the late father of Filipina-American abstract visual artist Rachel Gonzales, was the core inspiration for Gonzales’s “Portal of Healing,” a site-specific installation now on view at Fondren Library.

Community-centered art show Collect it for the Culture III opens Downtown

Collect it for the Culture III is the third annual Houston art show by Black Buddha Creative Agency that seeks to present culture-focused fine art and encourage beginning collectors. This year the Black-curated, Black-organized show continued its mission by showcasing many more artists than in past years, creating a significant platform for featured BIPOC artists to gain exposure. The show opened to the public last Saturday, Jan. 30 at GreenStreet, a commercial development in Downtown Houston, and will be on view until Feb. 28.