Arts and Entertainment

Check out these Black-owned businesses around Houston

From restaurants to hair salons, Houston is rich in celebrating Black culture through businesses. Visiting some of these Black-owned businesses may be the best way to celebrate the diversity Houston has to offer. Though Black History month may almost be over, these businesses are open year-round. 

Review: ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ is less than the sum of its parts

“Lisa Frankenstein” is a horror/comedy directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody of “Jennifer’s Body” fame. While the film is aesthetic to the max, has interesting cinematography and includes some satisfying performances, it fails to live up to Cody’s previous works. The protagonist is foundationally unlikable, the tonal shifts will give you whiplash and its focus on references of other, better movies just reminds you that you could (and really should) be watching something else.

Campus coffee showdown

With the addition of the Dandelion Cafe this semester, Rice’s on-campus coffee shop population just gained a new member. With this increase in options, we decided  to compare campus’s four coffee shops to see which is the best spot for a caffeinated pick-me-up. To keep the rankings as equal as possible, the same drink was ordered from all four shops: an iced vanilla latte with whole milk. Each coffeeshop is being judged on four categories to help inform your choice of coffee establishment. 

Stuart Weitzman talks about his step into success

There’s an iconic photograph of Aretha Franklin accepting her award for Favorite Soul Album at the 1983 American Music Awards. In it, the singer beams as she clutches her award in one hand and holds up a pair of glittering high heels in the other. Emblazoned on the insole of the shoes are the words “Stuart Weitzman,” a name that Franklin thanked in her acceptance speech alongside her producers and colleagues. 

Impress your first date with these Valentine’s Day flicks

It’s Valentine’s Day, and whether you’re pulling your hair out trying to choose the perfect movie for a date night or wondering how you want to spend your single night in, we got you. From romantic to hilarious to just plain strange, the Thresher’s A&E staff have the perfect film picks for your Valentine’s Day.

Dramatic changes for VADA

Dissolving concentrations altogether, replacing the theatre major with a minor and a complete name change — the Visual and Dramatic Arts major has recently undergone a variety of changes that are effective for the matriculating class of 2023. Dean of the School of Humanities Kathleen Canning and Director of the Rice Theatre Program Christina Keefe issued a proposal to the Faculty Senate for the creation of the theatre minor and the renaming to the Department of Art which was approved Nov. 29, 2023. 

​​Seniors steal the show in Rice Theatre’s production of ‘Art’

Rice Theatre’s senior capstone play, “Art,” is set to take the stage later this week and highlights the eight graduating seniors in the Visual and Dramatic Arts theatre concentration. “Art” is the final hurrah for one of Rice’s last classes of theatre majors, and the comedic production is originally a French-language play by Yasmina Reza. “Art” will run Feb. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., and tickets are “pay what you can” for all attendees.

Let your feelings blossom with DIY bouquets

Valentine’s Day is today, and if you have a special someone in your life, the holiday can’t be complete without a bouquet. If you’re like any Rice student, though, then there’s a good chance that you procrastinated this essential task until the morning of. If this sounds like you, the Thresher has you covered with the basics of flower arrangement.

Review: ‘Argylle’ feels absolutely soulless

What I am about to tell you may compromise my credibility as a film critic: Despite the fact that I saw the trailer over a dozen times, and that the film was relentlessly made fun of online prior to release, I was actually looking forward to “Argylle.” 

Sarofim Hall reflects new vision for the arts

It is hard to imagine a more radical shift: from the basement of Sewall Hall — squeezed between the Welcome Center, Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman's office and social science faculty — to a purposefully built facility nestled in the arts cluster of campus. On Feb. 29, the School of Humanities and broader Rice community will break ground on the Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall, the new home of the art department. The building is expected to be ready by the 2025-26 school year. 

The Wild Grain returns after an extended hiatus

Prior to this semester, if you asked anyone on campus, English major or not, if they had ever heard of The Wild Grain, you’d probably be met with a puzzled look. Co-editors-in-chief Essence Ratliff and Basma Bedawi are here to change that.

Fall in love with literature this February

While Valentine’s Day may be nearly over, it doesn’t mean the season of love, or reading about love, has to be. If you’re feeling literary this February, the Thresher has rounded up a list of must-reads for every hopeless romantic, relationship cynic and everyone in between.  

Explore Black history through these books

Almost 100 years ago, in February 1926, African-American historian Carter G. Woodson launched what eventually became Black History Month. Black history is American history and the lives and stories of African-Americans are too often sidelined when people tell the story of the United States. Literature is essential in sharing the Black experience, and the following works will serve as a good introduction for anyone wanting to start learning more about Black history this February.

‘Overwhelming joy’: ¡Ritmo! celebrates community, resiliency

Rice’s Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment hosted its annual cultural extravaganza, ¡Ritmo! on Saturday, Jan. 27. The event, themed “Lo Que No Me Mata, Me Alimenta,” translating to “What Doesn’t Kill Me, Nourishes Me,” aimed to celebrate the resilience of the Latine community.

Review: ‘Les Misérables’ is powerful, enthralling and not miserable

“Les Misérables,” a show centered around the 1832 June Rebellion in France that follows one man’s path from rags to riches and saving those along the way, arrived at Houston’s Hobby Center Jan. 24. The French club at Rice took full advantage of the visit, arranging guest lecturers to come speak about the French Revolution, as well as arranging a lunch with cast members for all students to attend.

Review: ‘Wall Of Eyes’ cements The Smile as more than just a side project

The Smile is a group composed of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, and Tom Skinner of jazz group Sons of Kemet. More than just a side project, The Smile has been a venue for some of Yorke and Greenwood’s most vital music in years, filling in the gaps since Radiohead’s most recent album was released in 2016. The band originally formed during COVID-19, allowing the musicians to continue recording new music and utilizing Greenwood’s fresh ideas, even when the other members of their band were unavailable. “Wall of Eyes” is The Smile’s sophomore album, following the acclaim of their debut and solidifying the group as a musical entity — not just a one-off.

Review: Disney’s ‘Percy Jackson’ is the adaption fans deserve

Readers’ obsession began with “The Lightning Thief,” the first installment in author Rick Riordan’s series about Greek gods and their demigod children, which was released in 2005. Over the decades, Riordan expanded the series to include Roman mythology, then Egyptian, then Norse. The “Riordanverse” grew immensely with its fans.

Review: ‘The Zone of Interest’ is a chilling portrait of evil

Films about the Holocaust face an impossible question: How are we meant to render such an atrocity? Countless filmmakers since the end of World War II have tried to answer this question, some – like Steven Spielberg in “Schindler’s List” – answering that we must try to voice its individual stories as much as possible, and others – like Claude Lanzmann in his 9 ½ hour documentary, “Shoah” – answering that it is ultimately impossible. 

Weekly scenes and screens

Review: “American Fiction” presents a refreshing blend of satire and drama

If you’ve been watching movies these few years, you’ve probably seen Jeffrey Wright. He was Commissioner Gordon in “The Batman,” reprised his role alongside Daniel Craig in “No Time To Die” and played smaller characters in two Wes Anderson movies. Across all these performances, he has been consistently excellent but always limited. Fortunately, “American Fiction” finally allows Wright to take center stage — an opportunity that he capitalizes on, providing a thoughtful and hilarious lead in first-time director Cord Jefferson’s dramedy.