8 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
THE RICE THRESHER
Review: ‘Magic Mike’ didn’t go full frontal — for the better version of the play “Isabel Ascending.” She flies him out to London with her, which SARA DAVIDSON & HAMZA SAEED doubles as revenge against her cheating exTHRESHER STAFF husband, and proceeds to promise Mike Walking into the theater in a three- $60,000 (or perhaps pounds, currency piece suit and a beret, we were salivating. is never specified). In exchange, he must Sara was salivating thinking of the food turn this classic theater show into a strip we planned to grab afterwards. Hamza delight, centered on women’s wants and was salivating for some of that Magic Mike needs. What ensues next is, of course, sexual tension, lots action. Neither of of stripping and us had seen a Magic the narrator, the Mike movie before couple’s daughter, this one, hoping getting kicked out that the fresh Any technical analysis of the theater for perspective we of this movie will reveal the water portion could offer would the same sad and of the show. lead to greater Any technical insights, or at least undeniable truth — this analysis of this some surprises. is not a great movie. From movie will reveal What this actually cheesy dialogue to an the same sad led to was one hour underwhelming ending, and undeniable and 52 minutes truth — this is not of laughter and “Magic Mike” isn’t quite as a great movie. Hamza attempting enchanting as we hoped it From cheesy to dance along to would be. dialogue to an scenes that had no underwhelming ending, “Magic Mike” business being danced to. “Magic Mike: The Last Dance” centers isn’t quite as enchanting as we hoped it around Mike (Channing Tatum), a former would be. However, it is still very possible adult entertainer turned bartender and to have a good time watching this movie, Max (Salma Hayek), a rich London socialite and we did. Laughing, cringing and letting that seeks his help in directing a new our mouths hit the floor, we still enjoyed FROM FRONT PAGE
AFRICAYÉ
Eujayl said that RASA helped her find community at Rice. “It really helped me … realize my Africanness, my Blackness,” Eujayl said. “I grew up in a place where there’s not a lot of Black people, not a lot of African people, so RASA was really important to me.” Sean Nyangeri, a dancer and RASA committee lead, expressed a similar sentiment and said that it has been amazing showing his pride for African culture to the Rice community. “The community is small, obviously, being at a [predominantly white institution], but it’s so close-knit, and everyone that’s involved in the organization is just very nice and willing to help out,” Nyangeri, a McMurtry College freshman, said. “There are a lot of people who have helped me along.” Eujayl said that while the decision to host Africayé at Stude Concert Hall for the first time was primarily in anticipation of the Rice Memorial Center being torn down, she has always dreamed of having Africayé at Shepherd since it has a larger seating capacity. She said that the showcase will
COURTESY WARNER BROS. PICTURES
watching — no, experiencing — this movie, flaws and all. Unfortunately, it is still our solemn duty to perform a critical analysis despite that. We know we shouldn’t expect a Stephen King-esque plot here, and we (mostly Hamza) were not watching this movie for the plot. Still, we were both very invested in the story until the second act. Despite our attempts to suspend belief, the plot begins to unravel under pressure, like a STEM student would in their first humanities class. However, the first dance was sensual
use dynamic structures within the concert showcase,” Nyangeri said. “It’s a musical showcasing a story, taking you through the hall to tie into the theme. “RASA as a club is always very ambitious, lives of many different characters and how looking to be bigger and better every single they’re trying to work together. You’re truly year … It’s probably one of the first times the immersed in a story.” Crystal Unegbu, a dance director and Shepherd School of Music has collaborated with a student organization on campus, actor in Africayé, said that one of the main particularly a Black student organization goals during the showcase’s creative process was to be inclusive on campus … We’re and authentic to hopefully able to the different talents host more people.” the RASA and Black Eujayl said. “Last community at Rice year, unfortunately, Every single time I watch have. we had to turn some them rehearse that scene, “It was just a small people away … It was it really does touch me … group of us … writing kind of insane.” I really want the audience the script, wanting Nyangeri is to fit in everything excited to celebrate to ... see that Africa is … It was definitely African culture and beautiful because of a challenge, but hopes that viewers all our culture, music, we really try can see parts of it in fashion and food, but to incorporate a new light rather everyone’s talents than with a one-sided also that … we are real view. students, real people here. in the show through the little scenes in the “Africayé’s not musical,” Unegbu, really just a cultural Crystal Unegbu a Hanszen College showcase, it’s a story HANSZEN COLLEGE SOPHOMORE sophomore, said. about an African Student Association at a random college “Africa is one huge continent with different trying to come together to put on a cultural regions and so many distinct differences that
and spectacular. This scene highlights how this movie made excellent use of lighting and color to create an intimate atmosphere. There are also mentions of class struggles, and a feminist touch is given through Max, who continuously pushes for women to be able to have it all — despite ending the movie with nothing but Mike. Overall, if you want to not take a movie too seriously, this one is great to watch. If you’re looking for the next cinematic masterpiece, this isn’t the one for you, but you probably already knew that. we wanted to highlight to our audience as well.” Unegbu said that the showcase also addresses and issues that Black students at Rice face, and that there is a powerful piece from RASA’s poets that really shines light on Black history in America and Black struggles. “Every single time I watch them rehearse that scene, it really does touch me … I really want the audience to, yes, see that Africa is beautiful because of all our culture, music, fashion and food, but also that … we are real students, real people here,” Unegbu said. For Nyangeri, Africayé has been an opportunity to come out of his shell and grow as a person. “I’m really nervous because in high school, the African Student Association would perform, and I remember always wanting to do it … It felt really nice looking back and seeing how much I’ve grown because if I were to tell my high school freshman self that I’m part of a dance team, I’d probably be really shocked,” Nyangeri said. Eujayl said she hopes Africayé brings RASA and the greater Rice community together. “It’s one hundred percent worth it,” Eujayl said. “Engage with all the events that we have planned this week. Come to Africayé. Buy the Chaus drink. It’s really yummy.”
Walk This World. Wiess College announces application process for the 2023 John E. Parish Fellowship
Recipients will receive support for approximately two months of travel during the summer of 2023. The purpose of the fellowship is to enhance the undergraduate education of the fellow by broadening the range of experience via self-directed travel.
Application information can be found at parish.rice.edu. The deadline for submission of application materials is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.