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Justin Schatz

Photo story: Lopez farm
Culture

Lopez Farms thrives despite the heat

Justin Schatz | May 2

Dry soil cracked beneath worn soles. The sun was still behind the mountains to the east.  Dew clung to wheatgrass. Chris Lopez surveyed his farm with a look of pride and concern before climbing into his Ford to start the day. Lopez has been farming this piece of land his entire life. His grandfather left behind mining in Magdalena and purchased the original piece of land over fifty years ago.  Despite the increasing aridity of the southwest and risks of ranching, Chris’ grandfather relocated his family to the fertile middle Rio Grande valley.  From an original few acres, Lopez Farms expanded to encompass nearly 700 acres. They grow  expansive fields of winter wheat and the hottest green chile in Central New Mexico.Several acres are designated wildlife habitat.

Curse of La Llorona Movie Still
Culture

Movie Review: Poor dialogue dampens potential of "La Llorona"

Justin Schatz | April 25

La Llorona makes her long awaited “Conjuring Universe" debut in Michael Chaves stylistic, yet underwhelming, “The Curse of La Llorona.”   The “Conjuring Universe” has been a blessing for the horror genre. James Wan’s “The Conjuring” is often considered a contemporary masterpiece of horror. The “Annabelle” spinoffs are a lesser but still competently crafted horror experience.  The ever-expanding “Conjuring Universe” has experienced a dip in form with its last few entries. The formula that proved to a be a resounding success in the first two “Conjuring” movies has been recycled through each entry and now is at its predictable low in Chaves' latest entry.

Shazam Still Photo
Culture

Movie Review: "Shazam" proves a compelling superhero movie

Justin Schatz | April 24

Imagine Gary Winick’s “13 Going on 30,” but without the stress of renting in New York City and instead transforming into a goofy superman doppelganger. DC Comics' latest solo entry “Shazam,” is a fun and deceivingly dark entry that promises potential for DC’s inconsistent cinematic universe.   Directed by David Sandberg, “Shazam” finds its emotional core and compelling storytelling through its exploration of family. The movie invested itself in Billy Batson (Asher Angel), an orphan on a relentless quest to find his mother. After another fruitless lead, Billy finds himself fostered by Victor (Cooper Andrews) and Rosa (Marta Milans) Vasquez.  He meets his foster brother, Frederick ‘Freddy’ Freeman (Jack Grazer), who happens to be an expert on everything superhero related. Billy, after defending Freddy from their high school’s bullies, finds himself in the presence of a powerful wizard (Dijimon Hounsou) and here we meet Shazam (a perfectly cast, Zachary Levi).

Hellboy
Culture

Move Review: "Hellboy" reboot falls drastically short

Justin Schatz | April 21

From its opening scene, it was clear that “Hellboy” was going to be a bloody, gore-riddled mess. Neil Marshall’s “Hellboy,” a reboot of Guillermo del Toro’s beloved two installments “Hellboy” and “The Golden Army,” invests the majority of its time (and apparently its budget) on gore rather than compelling storytelling. The visual splendor and extensive world building of del Toro is sacrificed for the sake of an R-rating. Marshall’s reboot begins with an opening struggle between King Arthur and the British sorceress, Nimue, the Queen of Blood (Milla Jovovich). Nimue is defeated by King Arthur and his sword, Excalibur, and her dismembered limbs are sent out to the most isolated corners of the British Isles.

Film Review Pet Sematary
Culture

Movie Review: "Pet Sematary" fails to live up to standard of other Stephen King adaptations

Justin Schatz | April 15

“Pet Sematary,” continues the critical revival of Stephen King film adaptations, but fails to reach the heights of “It” and “1922.”  The movie begins with the Creed family— husband Louis Creed (Jason Clark), wife Rachel Creed (Amy Seimetz), daughter Elle Creed (Jete Laurence) and son Gabe Creed (Hugo Lavoie), moving from Boston to the small town of Ludlow, Maine. The house is idyllic and situated on fifty acres of pristine Maine wilderness, yet comes with a catch: there is a highway frequented by speeding, and often out of control, semis just off of their driveway.  Shortly after moving in, Rachel and Ellie explore the property and come across an unnerving procession of kids adorning paganistic animal masks disappearing into their backyard.  The girls come to discover, from their neighbor, Jud Crandall (John Lithgow) that a pet cemetery, noticeably misspelled as “sematary,” is located on their property. Crandall explains that local kids have been using the “sematary” since he was a child, and from there a sense of dread grew.

Dumbo Movie Poster
Culture

Movie Review: Tim Burton's "Dumbo" fails to entertain

Justin Schatz | April 3

The latest of Disney’s corporate ordered live-action remakes, Tim Burton’s “Dumbo,” benefits from the director’s trademark aesthetic, but fails to rise above its uninspired predecessors. The only inspired element of this movie of outcasts is a director who has made a career turning outcasts into empathetic characters.   Despite its “play it safe” storytelling, “Dumbo” attempts, and largely fails to build on several themes presented within the first thirty minutes. “Dumbo” opens in 1919 with Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell), a former circus equestrian performer, returning home from the war to reunite with his two kids, Milly and Joe (Nico Parker and FInley Hobbins). A shaken and hollow Holt is without an arm and his kids are unsure of how to interact with their father. The relationship between a war-scarred father and his children never develops. The scars of both Holt and his children are immediately dismissed once Dumbo enters the story.

Us Movie Poster
Culture

Movie Review: "Us" packages social commentary with thrills

Justin Schatz | March 28

It has now become an event whenever a new Jordan Peele movie is released. “Get Out” had resounding success, not only with its competent execution of thrills, but also its ability to incorporate social commentary, something Peele has perfected from his many years as a writer and producer on “Key and Peele.” His entertaining commentary on black and white relations within the U.S. was poignant and unflinching.   In “Us,” Peele continues his rise as one of America’s most talented filmmakers and social commentators. The film opens in 1986 at the Santa Clara fair, where we are introduced to a young Adelaide Thomas (played by Madison Curry). Adelaide is at the fair with her parents, before she wanders off and enters a dilapidated funhouse. From there we enter the mind of a director at the top of his game.

The Setonian
Culture

UNM's greenhouse flourishes with life

Justin Schatz | March 4

Spring is nearly here, and there is no better time to checkout the University of New Mexico’s Greenhouse located in Castetter Hall. The greenhouse hosts a number of native and nonnative plant species. With the days noticeably longer, many of the cacti have already begun their spring bloom of pink and yellow flowers. The facility is cared for by greenhouse manager, Wesley Noe, who graduated from UNM in  Spring 2017 with a degree in biology. The focus of the greenhouse “is mainly research and teaching,” Noe said.   Next to the public greenhouse, illuminated by phosphorescent pink LED lights, is another greenhouse dedicated to research. The research greenhouse hosts undergraduate and graduate research projects and is cared for by Noe.

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