Opinion

Comics February 14, 2022

REVIEW: Examining a graceful yet turbulent relationship in ‘Normal People’

  This review has spoilers for “Normal People”  When news of a television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s superb Ireland-set novel “Normal People” hit my ears, I first thought they could never do the book justice. But when it was released in April 2020, the two main characters’ on-and-off relationship proved me wrong and displayed a master class in understanding power dynamics and how easily your soulmate can slip through your fingers. The show tells the story of Connell’s (Paul Mescal) and Marianne’s (Daisy Edgar-Jones) relationship from high school until the end of college, as the two frequently break up just to get back together again when they realize they can’t be without each other. 

REVIEW: ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ is a cathartic viewing

  This review contains spoilers A quintessential viewing this Valentine’s season is Michael Gondry’s 2004 sci-fi romance “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” which argues that even the most painful aspects of our relationships are worth remembering. The film follows Joel, played by a woefully sad Jim Carrey, after he realizes his ex-girlfriend Clementine, charmfully played by everyone’s favorite love interest Kate Winslet, used a medical procedure through the company Lacuna to erase all of her memories of him. He then tries to cope with his feelings of anger, grief and residual love.  The film adopts a nonlinear narrative: it begins where it ends and bounces back between the present and Joel’s memories of the past. 

Ask the Editors: Relationships edition

  Burnt out with the dating scene? Ex won’t leave you alone? General relationship anxiety? Have no fear, the Daily Lobo editors are here to answer all of your most pressing questions on love and relationships. Zara’s advice Q: Is it okay not to have been in a relationship before being in college? A: It’s more than fine to have not been in a relationship before college. There are a myriad of reasons someone wouldn’t want to date in high school, but at the end of the day, it’s your life. It’s important to respect your own boundaries, especially in regards to intimacy. 

OPINION: Zara’s Zodiac: February love horoscope forecast

  It’s February, which means love is in the air … Or is it? Venus and Mars, the astrological signifiers of love and sex, will be in the pragmatic and ambitious sign of Capricorn for the remainder of the month. Here’s what that means for the respective signs. Aries February may be tense, romantically-speaking, for Aries. There could be some conflict between your career or public identity and the way you approach partnerships and romance. You should remember not to overwork yourself and neglect interpersonal needs in the process. I see Feb. 19-20 as being a particularly important time to be sensitive to this balance as the moon travels through Libra.

REVIEW: ‘The Love Hypothesis’: an electric read

  This review contains spoilers Over the past few months, “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood has taken booklovers on TikTok by storm, and for good reason. The novel is filled to the brim with clichés that I love and proves that, when done right, the fake-dating trope can be adorable. The novel follows Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith as she begins fake-dating “antagonistic and unapproachable” (Olive’s words, not mine) professor Adam Carlsen, and pure chaos ensues. She does this to prove to one of her best friends, Anh Pham, that she is really and truly over her ex-boyfriend so Anh can feel more comfortable entering a relationship with him. 

LETTER: Exempting all SS Income from tax won’t help seniors who need it most

  Social Security has done a remarkable job keeping the vast majority of seniors out of poverty. Those seniors who still live in poverty should receive more help from the federal and state governments. But exempting all Social Security income from taxation won’t deliver one penny of help to our low-income seniors. What it will mean is the state will have less money to support the programs and services that matter most to our communities. Most seniors earning low incomes — and even many earning middle incomes — are already exempt from paying income tax on their Social Security benefits. 

LETTER: Grad union calls on UNM to better COVID-19 enforcements

  Dear President Stokes, Provost Holloway and Regents of the University of New Mexico, The omicron variant of SARS-COV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, has caused a surge of cases several times higher than ever seen before during the ongoing pandemic. This has severely impacted our community by placing an enormous burden on healthcare facilities including the University hospital where some of our members work and have clinical placements. Additionally, a large number of students and employees are currently unable to participate in regular activities due to infection.  We insist that UNM act to protect graduate workers and other employees of the University as well as the students that we teach. 

Comics February 7, 2022

REVIEW: ‘The Fallout’ delves into the invisible effects of school shootings

  This review contains spoilers “The Fallout,” the feature directorial debut of seasoned actress Megan Park, premiered at last year’s South by Southwest film festival to critical acclaim. Jan. 27 saw the film’s release to wider audiences through HBO Max, and while the story minorly lacks some character development, Jenna Ortega’s compelling performance as high school student Vada lets “The Fallout” beautifully tackle trauma in the face of tragedy. The film centers on tomboy Vada and resident influencer Mia’s (Maddie Ziegler) journey through the aftermath of surviving a school shooting after the two hid together in a bathroom stall during the gunman’s spree. 

REVIEW: Mitski’s ‘Laurel Hell’ cuts with pure, silver fury

  Mitski’s sixth studio album “Laurel Hell,” released on Saturday, Feb. 4, is a distant, synthy opus that looms over its listener, leaving behind an unshakeable lingering dread. It is Mitski to the highest degree. Coming out of a nearly three-year hiatus originally intended to be a permanent departure from music, this album is about Mitski’s tumultuous, fraught relationship with her own career. As a long-time fan, it’s completely heart-shattering to listen to. It’s tinged with regret, or perhaps total ambivalence, to the fame she’s garnered through her work.   One of the most effective tracks for me was “Valentine, Texas.” It starts off gently before suddenly erupting into rapturous instrumentals, similar to the opening tracks of “Texas Reznikoff” and “Geyser.” 

REVIEW: 'Passing' explores the delicate and the dangerous

  Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut “Passing” deftly explores the ways in which we craft beauty out of race, class, gender expectations and the innermost desires that bubble beneath the surface within us all. Released on Netflix on Oct. 27, “Passing” is based on a Nella Larson novel of the same name which follows Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga), two Black women in 1920s New York who are able to “pass” as white. Irene lives her life as a Black woman, while Clare is married with a child to a white, virulent racist who is unaware of her true heritage.

LETTER: Native communities need legislative action to end predatory lending

  It is urgent that the legislature and Governor Lujan Grisham enact House Bill 132 (Rep. Herrera, Speaker Egolf, and Rep. Garratt) during the 2022 session to reduce the maximum annual interest rate on small loans from 175%, one of the highest rates in the nation, to 36%. This issue is personal to us, as the burden of predatory lending does not fall evenly on all New Mexicans.  Even though Native lands make up less than 10% of the state’s geography, 64% of predatory lenders in New Mexico operate within 15 miles of our reservation communities. It is our families, friends and neighbors who get caught in the cycle of insurmountable debt created by the high interest structure of predatory loans. 

Comics January 24, 2022

REVIEW: ‘Paris is Burning’: A composition of vibrant expression

  “Paris is Burning” was a landmark film upon its release in 1990 and, to this day, remains one of the finest and most celebrated examples of LGBTQ+ cinema. Its impact on filmmaking has been widespread and actually served as direct inspiration for the hit FX show “Pose,” on which “Paris is Burning” director Jennie Livingston served as a producer. It’s not hard to see why the film has had such a large-scale impact. Setting aside the visual and technical aspects, the film captures a community that has historically been underrepresented within film and approaches its subject with grace and sympathy. It’s distinctly human and fantastically fun to watch. 

OPINION: Why I got a meaningless tattoo

  Body modifications have become increasingly common and acceptable in the past decade, but tattoos still remain a polarizing subject. I used to be someone who never wanted a tattoo and was positive I’d never get one. Then, last summer, I had a sudden urge to get one, and two weeks later, I had sizable ink on my thigh that has no special meaning or reason behind it. Growing up, I wasn’t discouraged from tattoos by my parents at all. Since I never showed interest, we never talked about it. When I brought the design I had in mind to them — an Old West style line drawing I found through an online deep dive — they were indifferent, but reminded me that I’d have their support no matter what.

OPINION: 2022 editors’ style forecast

  Does pandemic exhaustion have you uninspired? As the new year reins in, it's time for a new you. Get ahead of the trend cycle with our start-of-the-year predictions for the hottest fashion trends. Joseph’s Predictions: Indie sleaze The ten-year fashion cycle has returned yet again —  let’s take a quick trip back in time, shall we? Picture this: the year is 2012; you throw on a pair of skinny jeans, black converse, a faded band tee, a plaid overshirt shirt and a scarf, you’re going for a grungy look but not too rough as you want to perfect the careless hipster vibe. This could be you later this year.

LETTER: United Graduate Workers of UNM urge University to begin negotiations

  Dear President Stokes, Provost Holloway, Dean Coonrod and Regents of the University of New Mexico, As of Jan. 4, the United Graduate Workers of UNM (UGW-UE local 1466) was certified as the first union of graduate employees under the New Mexico Public Employee Bargaining Act. Graduate employees have long provided vital contributions to the teaching and research mission of UNM, yet struggle without adequate pay, healthcare or input in their working conditions. Collectively bargaining with graduate employees strengthens our entire university and the state of New Mexico by providing a quality learning environment for our undergraduate students and allowing researchers to focus on innovation and discovery. 

Comics January 18, 2022

REVIEW: ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ is a beautifully minimal take on Shakespeare’s classic play

  “Macbeth” has been done a thousand times over, both on stage and on film. You may know it for its timeless story of ruthless ambition or you may know it as that Scottish play you had to read for your high school English class. Either way, Shakespeare’s play has had some staying power and “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is only another testament to the English playwright’s genius. The film, having just been released on Apple TV+ on Friday, Jan. 14 after a limited theatrical run, follows — you guessed it — Macbeth and his bloody journey to become king of Scotland prompted by a strange encounter with a trio of witches.