Special Projects

Review: “Look Back” is short but powerful

“Look Back” is one of the best films of 2024. Inspired by the tragic 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack, Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of “Chainsaw Man,” crafts a deeply moving tribute that transforms real-life sorrow into a story of resilience and connection. 

“Mahashmashana” is cynical but has fun while doing it

This is it: your beanie-headed friend’s new favorite “underground” album. They probably mentioned that it dropped the same day as Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “GNX”, and they definitely mispronounced the title. So just how good is it really?

Four movies you missed over winter break

Winter is the best time to be a movie fan. Hollywood studios always release their award-season hopefuls, new attempts at Christmas classics and movies (hopefully) good enough to convince the whole family to go out during the holidays. This year was no different, but certain films definitely stood out above the rest -- here are four films that were released over winter break that you may have missed.

Kyle Mooney talks killer robots, Limp Bizkit in film ‘Y2K’

Kyle Mooney’s sci-fi disaster comedy and directorial debut, “Y2K,” released in theaters on Dec. 6. Ahead of the release, the “Saturday Night Live” alum talked inspirations, set design and working with ’90s icons in a roundtable interview with the Thresher.

Replay 2024’s best albums of the year

Creative and dark, Ethel Cain’s ‘Perverts’ descends into the ambient abyss

What might Eve hear when she, in her shame, is ousted from the Garden of Eden? 

Nosferatu Review

Robert Eggers has returned for his fourth motion picture, a faithful remake of F. W. Murnau's 1922 film “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.” Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is nothing less than a symphony, weaving together painterly gothic imagery and chilling supernatural atmosphere.

Abortion is still an option, despite harmful restrictions

Preventable deaths, rising maternal mortality rates, threats to contraception and state-sponsored deception. This is the reality in Texas, two years after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. 

Electives to fill your final credit hours

No matter how long you spend perfecting your schedule, the urge to drop a class after syllabus week is inevitable. Whether you’re looking to drop the 8 a.m. that seemed like a good idea or the class with mandatory attendance, consider these three credit-hour electives with open spots to complete your schedule. 

Pink pantsuits & private equity: Girls in VC launches at Rice

Birth control pills, Barbie dolls and beer – women know what women need. Female inventors and founders have made countless contributions like these, but they’re often held back by rooms of male investors.   

Dining schedule changes increase meal accessibility and convenience

Is giving up weekday breakfast at South and North serveries worth it for an omelette bar and cinnamon rolls? We think so. Even if the new dining schedule is confusing, the changes are a good step towards more food availability on campus, and are a heartening indicator of departments considering student feedback.

Students reject divestment proposals

The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.

Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda

Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed. 

Chaus closes due to water leak, ‘tentatively hoping’ to reopen Dec. 5

Rice Coffeehouse is closed indefinitely due to water leaks in the building that occurred over Thanksgiving break. Chaus announced its closure in a Dec. 1 Instagram post, citing “unseen circumstances.” Although no official date has been announced, Chaus is aiming for a Dec. 5 reopening, said both Alysa Bijl-Spiro, Chaus’ general manager, and Caitlin Lindsay, Director of Student Center Operations.

Jae Kim named Rhodes Scholar, Rice’s first recipient in a decade

Rice senior Jae Kim was named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar, the only recipient from a Texas university and the first Rice student to receive the award since 2015. The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to 32 American students annually to study at Oxford University for up to three years.

Amy Hobby: from Rice to Oscar nominee

Before its permanent closure in 2021, the Rice Media Center was home to film students at Rice. One particular alumna, Academy Award-nominated producer Amy Hobby ’87, has been one of the most notable people to come out of Rice’s film department, having worked alongside Tim Burton, David Lynch and Steven Soderbergh throughout her three-decade career.

Scott Abell named football head coach

Rice football has hired Scott Abell as the program’s 20th head coach, according to an announcement from director of athletics Tommy McClelland, who led a national search to fill the position. 

Rice launches partnerships with Indian universities

Thirty members of Rice leadership and faculty convened in Bengaluru, India Nov. 18 to launch Rice Global India, an initiative to bolster Rice’s network of academic collaboration abroad. According to Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global affairs, the trip was the largest international delegation in the history of the university.

Gift ideas to save you this season

If you’ve got a white elephant coming up that you’re scratching your head over or a Secret Santa that you can’t seem to crack, consider one of the six options below to perish your present woes.

12-04-2024 Crossword Solutions