Arts and Entertainment

Review: ‘The Marvels’ reflects the MCU’s currently untapped potential

At this point, the Marvel discourse has become as ubiquitous as the film series itself. Since “Avengers: Endgame” was released, clickbait articles about superhero fatigue have flooded the internet. And while this commentary is often completely hackneyed, it comes from a very legitimate place. Upon announcement, “The Marvels” felt like an obligation to longtime fans, rather than an event to look forward to. 

Shop around the block: local goods stores in Houston

Houston is a city bursting with creatives, many of whom are local, getting their art, crafts and food onto the scene — only if you know where to look. If you don’t, though, the Thresher has got you covered. Here’s a list of local markets for those looking to shop small or find their next eccentric buy.

Public art on campus: ‘Ash and Spirits’

Situated just outside Hanszen College is a structure that at first seems to be yet another construction site on Rice campus. As you look closer, it eventually reveals itself to be a multimedia piece of art, weaving together sight and sound. “Ash and Spirits,” created by artist Devin Kenny, is the newest installation on campus and the most recent addition to the Moody Center for the Arts’ Platform series.

Peruse the paranormal at Rice’s Archives of the Impossible

In a world dictated by facts, seemingly everything can be explained by some scientific principle or research. Certain events, though, just can’t be explained, falling outside our conceptions of how the world works — which many call the paranormal. Records of unordinary events have been kept for centuries in the form of books, photographs, letters and government documents. Since 2014, the Woodson Research Center at Fondren Library has been gathering these accounts detailing the supernatural, placing them in a collection aptly named the Archives of the Impossible.

Review: Del Water Gap takes the stage

Review: Jimmy Buffett’s long legacy lives on in final album

Jimmy Buffett, the legendary star behind “Margaritaville” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” passed away earlier this year. Now, his latest album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” has been released posthumously. As a lifetime fan of Buffett — or, a ‘Parrothead’ — this album did not disappoint and likely won’t for those new to his music as well. Though currently lacking my Margaritaville Crocs, I was thoroughly happy with Buffett’s final journey. 

Keegan Pierce leaves his ‘Possum Prints’ on Rice

If you’ve seen ktru or Lovett College Woodstock shirts around campus, chances are they’re made by Possum Prints, a small-scale screen-printing company founded by Keegan Pierce, a Lovett senior who “just really likes possums.” Pierce founded the business in the summer of 2022, creating shirts in his living room, and is currently working on college night shirts for Lovett and Sid Richardson College. He will also be live-printing and selling shirts at Archi Market Monday, Nov. 13.

Senior Spotlight: Natalie Pellette finds art in civil engineering

Artist, architect, engineer, rock climber and Pub general manager — Natalie Pellette nearly does it all. A Hanszen College senior majoring in studio art and civil engineering, Pellette has immersed herself in various academics and activities at Rice, though she didn’t have a typical start here. Hailing from San Diego, she first attended Scripps College, a liberal arts school in Claremont, Calif. before transferring to Rice. 

​​Review: ‘Priscilla’ is the Anti-‘Elvis’

With Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film “Elvis” renewing interest in one of the biggest figures in American pop culture history, Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” has continued the Elvis renaissance — this time from a different perspective. “Elvis” was criticized by some for glossing over many of the uncomfortable and controversial aspects of the star’s life, specifically his relationship with the 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu. “Priscilla” looks at Elvis through the lens of a girl oft-forgotten, providing a view into the turbulent life of Elvis’ wife in a way that’s tender and tactful.

Review: Sampha creates music from another world on ‘Lahai’

You might know Sampha from his insane run of memorable hooks on rap songs such as Kendrick Lamar’s “Father Time” and Kanye West’s “Saint Pablo.” In each of his appearances with other musicians, Sampha’s inimitable vocals steal the show, adding another dimension to the sound. 

Review: ‘The Killer’ returns to familiar territory

Despite ongoing industry strikes, 2023 has been a good year for Hollywood, specifically for well-known auteurs. David Fincher’s “The Killer” once again proves his firm grasp on the thriller genre, and joins the likes of Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese’s releases as one of 2023’s best films.

‘City of equality’: Scott Colman writes on Ludwig Hilberseimer

Architect and anarcho-socialist, Ludwig Hilberseimer is the subject of Scott Colman’s latest book. “Ludwig Hilberseimer: Reanimating Architecture and the City” details the influence of Hilberseimer on urbanism.  

Review: ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ expands a pop triumph

An album that signaled Taylor Swift’s final move from the world of country to mainstream pop music, “1989” was full of catchy tracks, albeit cheesy at times — sorry, “Welcome to New York” — that truly cemented Swift’s pop stardom and fueled an ever-growing Swiftie fanbase. Nine years later to the day, Swift re-released this album as “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” the next stop on her years-long journey of re-recording all of her original masters. 

Meet the ACL artist: Husbands

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, musician Danny Davis’ self-described surfy, beach pop sound might be surprising, given his roots in a land-locked state. Drawing musical inspiration from The Beach Boys, Davis, who’s part of the band Husbands, said the sort of music he most wants to emulate is what people can dance to. 

Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ is a film for devoted fans

Starting off as a standalone lore-filled game in 2014, the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” franchise has expanded to toys, books and now, a much-anticipated movie. The FNaF empire has now revolutionized both the indie gaming sphere and the internet horror genre as a whole. As a result, the investigative journalists here at the Thresher spent a night at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza to determine if this film was a soulless cash grab of an adaptation or if Freddy truly had been cooking.

World’s longest-running play finds its next stage at Rice

First performed at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, England in 1952 and now holding the Guinness World Record for longest-running play in history, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” has arrived at Rice Theatre. An esteemed whodunit murder mystery that boasts over 28,000 performances worldwide, the show will run for two weekends at Rice’s Hamman Hall.

Review: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is monumental

Even prior to the release of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” online commentators were discussing the merits and, more often, the potential problems of the film’s three-and-a-half-hour runtime. This discourse, however, is entirely missing the point of director Martin Scorsese’s latest masterwork: “Killers of the Flower Moon” is a pointed, harrowing drama based on a true story about the exploitation of Native Americans and a criticism of American ignorance.

Roxane Gay talks ‘Opinions’ and learning to speak her mind

R&B music filtered through the ballroom, mixing with the scuffling of shoes against hardwood as people rushed to settle in before New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay made her entrance. Once Gay stepped onto the stage, chatter quickly silenced and then burst into applause.

Review: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ tackles trauma

Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” is the most recent recipient of the Cannes Film Festival’s highest award, making Triet only the third female director in history to win the Palme d’Or. Triet’s film joins the ranks of past legendary winners such as “Taxi Driver,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Parasite.” Triet’s stellar screenwriting and lead actress Sandra Huller are truly at the heart of this film, contributing to one of the best movie releases of the year.

Halloween costume round-up

With Halloween coming up, there are few things more important this week than figuring out what to wear. Whether you’re looking to dress up with company or just going solo this year, the Thresher is here with some costume recommendations for you to don this Halloweekend.