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Miami swim and dive shines in win over FAU

Ian Graves
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Miami swim and dive shines in win over FAU

In its first home meet of the year, Miami swim and dive defeated FAU by a score of 166-128 at the Whitten Center Pool.

In the first race of the meet, the 200-yard medley relay got the ‘Canes off to a hot start with its top entry of fifth-year senior Emma Shuppert, senior Emma Sundstrand, junior Jacey Hinton and fifth-year senior Talia Bates coming in first place with a time of 1:41.79.

Next up, in the freestyle events, the Hurricanes kept rolling behind fifth-year senior Mary Smutny winning the 1,000-yard freestyle and sophomore Jane Fitzgerald taking the 200-yard freestyle with times of 10:22.64 and 1:53.19 respectively.

Other notables from freestyle include sophomore Kate Sommerstad, who claimed second in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:39.56) and freshman Jemma Burns, who placed third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.96).

Moving onto backstroke, UM managed to ramp it up to another level after the hot start sweeping the 100-yard backstroke, with Bates (54.00), Shuppert (56.03) and sophomore Celina Kuehne (56.27) taking those top three places.

Adding on to her outstanding meet, Shuppert took home her third win of the meet, winning the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:02.33.

The ‘Canes saw even more success late in the sprinting events, with wins from junior Jacey Hinton (23.22) in the 50-yard freestyle and redshirt junior Savannah Barr (51.82) in the 100-yard freestyle.

Up next for Miami swim and dive, the team will head west to Dallas to take on several teams at the SMU Invite spanning from Nov. 15-18.

Hurricanes volleyball victorious in a close four-set game against the Virginia Cavaliers

Aaliah Dawson
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Hurricanes volleyball victorious in a close four-set game against the Virginia Cavaliers

Miami Volleyball returned with a competitive 3-1 home win against the Virginia Cavaliers at the James L. Knight Complex in Coral Gables Friday night. They were coming off last week’s disappointing loss against No.3 Louisville Cardinals in Kentucky.

The ‘Canes secured a much-needed in-conference win, contributing to their ACC record of 9-4 as the conference season is nearing the end with five games left on the schedule.

The ‘Canes set the tone of the match, coming out strong against Virginia with an impressive first-set win 25-12. Fifth-year setter Savannah Vach put Miami in the lead behind the service line, alongside Sophmore Flormarie Heredia-Colon and Freshman Grace Lopez with nine kills each.

The Cavaliers would not let the ‘Canes dominate so easily, coming back in a close second set. However, the ‘Canes still won by a score of 25-22. The second set featured strong performances from Lopez and Junior Ashley Carr, with solid service from Yaidaliz Rosado. There were notable big hits from Heredia Colon and Graduate Student Janice Leao to close out that set’s victory.

The ‘Canes struggled in the third set and tried to fight against Virginia’s strong kills, but it was not enough, and the Cavaliers won the set 25-19.

Virginia kept their momentum going into the fourth set, but the Canes’ found their way back from an initial 10-point deficit with a potent offense by Redshirt Senior Angela Grieve. Casiano and Grieve responded perfectly to Virginia’s hits with their defense, allowing Vach and Leao to create a wall and win the set 25-23. After being on the edge of their seats the last three sets, the Miami home crowd was ecstatic to see the Canes come out on top.

The ‘Canes will take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday at the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The game will start at 1 p.m.

Farr: Hurricanes Men’s Basketball got their taste of glory – and now, they’re coming for it all

Elliot Farr
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Farr: Hurricanes Men’s Basketball got their taste of glory – and now, they’re coming for it all

April 1, 2023. NRG Stadium. Houston, Texas.

The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team – a program once dropped for 11 years – played in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

Just over 1,200 miles away from the action, students, alums, and fans alike gathered at the Watsco Center to watch the Canes take on the Connecticut Huskies, with a chance to move on and play for a national championship.

But after getting blown out by the eventual national champions in UConn, the ‘Canes returned home understandably subdued but also with a renewed sense of optimism like never before.

Fast-forward 219 days later – November 6, 2023 – the season opener. Expectations are high. The Hurricane faithful are more invested than ever. And with the moves they have made, Miami is hungrier than ever to claim a spot in college basketball glory.

After the departures of program stars Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller to the NBA – two key faces that were nothing short of instrumental in Miami’s run to Houston – head coach Jim Larrañaga and co. have done plenty of work to reload and prepare for their most anticipated season yet.

Miami’s most significant addition this summer was the arrival of FSU transfer Matthew Cleveland. He gained notoriety in Coral Gables after shocking the then-No. 13 Hurricanes with a game-winning buzzer-beater in February.

Now finding himself on the other side of the rivalry, the junior guard is poised to be a significant force in this new-look squad. During his two years as a Seminole, Cleveland averaged 12.7 points per game on 44.8% shooting, including a 3-pointer percentage that improved from 17.6% as a freshman to 35.0 as a sophomore.

Headlining Miami’s returning players include Wooga Poplar, Nijel Pack, and Norchad Omier – the latter two of whom transferred to Miami in 2022 from Kansas State and Arkansas State, respectively.

Poplar made some of the most significant improvements of any of Miami’s players with an expanded role in his sophomore season. He improved his shooting from 41.2% from the field to 47% and a monumental jump from 21.4% to 37.5% from downtown— he’s a prolific finisher in the paint and now one of Miami’s many shooting threats. Larrañaga has had no shortage of praise for Poplar, raving about the junior season he’s primed to have and even tabbing him as a future NBA first-round pick.

Moreover, the return of Pack and Omier is undoubtedly the biggest reinforcement that Miami will have going into a new season. After earning First Team All-Big 12 conference honors, Pack’s arrival was one of the main pieces for the team’s magical tournament run. Pack has shot an outstanding 41.6% from downtown in college, giving the Hurricanes one of the nation’s premier shooting threats that was key to their run to Houston.

And with Norchad Omier – a graduate of nearby Miami Prep School – returning to Coral Gables for his fourth year, he is undoubtedly the player who is most primed to have the season of his life. A constant force in the paint, Omier has made a name for himself as a premier center in the Atlantic Coast Conference and yet has much more room to improve.

With a dominant 58.7% of his career field goals made and an average of over 11 rebounds, it’s no secret why the Bluefields, Nicaragua native, and the first to represent his country in Division 1 basketball, was named to the All-Conference team in all of his three years, including honors as the Sun Belt Player of the Year.

Rounding out Miami’s new-look team going into the season are a handful of standout freshmen who look to take significant roles in Larrañaga’s news system. Michael Nwoko, Kyshawn George, and Paul Djobet are the foremost names in Miami’s incoming freshman class.

Nwoko, the No. 16-ranked center of the 2023 class per 247 Sports, looks to start out backing up Omier for his first year. Nwoko showed massive potential in Miami’s preseason exhibition vs. TCNJ, posting 16 points and seven rebounds. George, a 6-foot-8 guard from Switzerland, will look to have a leading sixth-man role as one of the ACC’s top freshmen. In Miami’s exhibition, George logged 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, three rebounds, and four assists, positioning him with plenty of potential in his freshman season.

In the history of Miami basketball, there has never been more anticipation, more excitement, and more buzz than there has been after the Hurricanes got their first taste of glory in the college basketball world.

And there is no doubt that this program, a far cry from its humble origins, has worked hard to build on everything it could accomplish to reach the ultimate goal. And one can bet that they will use such an opportunity effectively.

A new season is coming. The Hurricanes are coming. And this time around, the ‘Canes are coming for it all.

Offensive miscues doom Hurricanes against N.C. State

Luke Sims
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Offensive miscues doom Hurricanes against N.C. State

As time wound down in the fourth quarter, the Miami Hurricanes offense trotted back out onto the field, ran a few plays and junior quarterback Tyler Van Dyke capped off the game with another interception in the final seconds. It’s a fitting way to end a disheartening performance in Raleigh, North Carolina. The ‘Canes fell to 6-3 overall (2-3 in the ACC) as they lost to North Carolina (N.C.) State, 20-6, on Saturday night.

After a field goal from junior kicker Andy Borregales, the ‘Canes took the lead 3-0, but it was all downhill from there. The Wolfpack responded with a touchdown to take the 7-3 lead. The ‘Canes were able to keep it close with another field goal but that’s the closest that they got for the rest of the game. The Wolfpack were able to capitalize on a Van Dyke fumble – one of his four turnovers on the day – to kick another field goal and make the score 10-6 at the end of the first half.

In the second half, Miami was finally able to put together a drive that got them near the goal line. Down only four, a touchdown would have given Miami the lead and restored some momentum.

Facing fourth-and-one, the Hurricanes were unable to convert. The Wolfpack then drove down and scored to give themselves a double-digit lead. Miami’s struggles in the red zone plagued them all game and were ultimately the difference in the end.

“Games like that, you got to grind them out,” head coach Mario Cristobal told reporters after the game. “It’s going to be who can outlast who, who can get up one more time. We had a lot of momentum going down there in the fourth quarter to go score and when we didn’t get that done it certainly switched some momentum. That being said, guts kept battling and kept fighting but not to the standard, and not to the result we wanted.”

Those six points were the last that the ‘Canes scored Saturday night. A lot of that is on the shoulders of Van Dyke.

The Connecticut native played arguably the worst game of his career. Van Dyke threw three interceptions that all looked very poor. Some brutal underthrows cut the legs out of any momentum that Miami tried to muster. Van Dyke was not efficient or accurate, as he only completed 55% of his passes for 173 yards and zero touchdowns.

“I just have to get back into form and understand where we can get better in the passing game,” Van Dyke said. “Obviously, it’s not what it has been the last few games so just got to get back on the drawing board and be better.”

Miami’s defense was able to cause a few turnovers itself with a Kamren Kinchens interception and a Jaden Davis strip-sack, but it was not enough to overcome the team’s offensive shortcomings. Every time Miami’s defense would make a play, it seemed as though the Wolfpack’s defense struck right back.

“I think we got to just keep bringing energy,” UM senior defensive lineman Branson Deen said. “Keep executing the full game, not part of it. Not a slow start or a slow ending. We have to keep the energy all game and execute. Like I said, we’ll watch the film and make our corrections and we have to move on quickly.”

The ‘Canes wideouts had a decent day. The leading receiver was junior Jacolby George, with five receptions for 59 yards. Junior Xavier Restrepo was held to just one reception for 13 yards until the last drive of the game. N.C. State’s defense did a great job of bottling up Miami’s receivers.

Miami’s rushing attack was effective when utilized, though. In his first start, true freshman running back Mark Fletcher Jr. got the bulk of the carries for Miami en route to a career-high 115 yards on 23 carries. Usually, the Miami rushing attack is more balanced, but no other back had more than three carries.

“I feel like I played great,” Fletcher said. “The O-line made a lot of openings for me but we did not get the result we wanted and we just have to go back to work.”

This was a hallmark game for the Wolfpack’s coaching staff, as head coach Dave Doeren collected his 78th victory in his time at N.C. State. That’s a program record, and the team got to celebrate in front of a sold-out crowd. This was also the first time that N.C. State had beaten Miami in 15 years. The last time was when Russell Wilson was under center for the Wolfpack.

The ‘Canes will have to limp into Tallahassee on a low note as they have a huge rivalry showdown with the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles next Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. The kick-off for this matchup on ABC is to be determined.

TMH Staff score predictions: NC State Wolfpack

Wrigley Kordt
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TMH Staff score predictions: NC State Wolfpack

It’s been back to back games that Hurricanes Football has gone into overtime and come out with the victory. However, both games were played in front of their home crowd at Hard Rock Stadium. Today, they are at Carter-Finley Stadium to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-3, 2-2 ACC).

Saturday’s kick-off in Raleigh, North Carolina is set for 8:00 p.m. Here’s what four members of The Miami Hurricane’s sports section are predicting for the game.

Ian Graves

After sneaking away with a three-point overtime victory over Virginia, Miami looks to extend their win streak to three games against NC State this Saturday. In the last matchup between these two teams, the ‘Canes edged the then-ranked Wolfpack by 1 point in a thriller at Hard Rock Stadium in 2021.

With both of these teams struggling to find much of an offensive rhythm as of late, we are due for a relatively low-scoring affair. Miami comes in with the 28th-ranked defense in the FBS, allowing only 20 points per game, and NC State is coming in slightly lower with the 45th-ranked defense allowing about 23 points per game.

This being said, whichever teams turns more defense into offense, whether by scoring themselves or setting up the offense with good field position, will come away with the victory.

The Hurricanes will be the team to do this, as executed last week by safety Kam Kinchens housing a crucial pick-six, and Miami should be able to escape Raleigh with a victory.

Prediction: Miami 20, NC State 17

Charlotte Snoonian

Miami and NC State both hope to keep the momentum going, each coming off of conference wins last week. The ‘Canes’ wins did not come quickly, though, earning the last two games in overtime against Clemson and UVA, and the NC State Wolfpack also just beat Clemson.

Uncertainty at quarterback has been prevalent for the Wolfpack this season, with transfer quarterback Brennan Marshall being benched earlier this season for MJ Morris. Both players have a completion rate slightly under 60%, compared to Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s 70% completion this season.

Also, on the offensive side of the ball, both teams look even in receiving and rushing leaders so that the game may come down to strength on the defensive side. NC State linebacker Payton Wilson has had a whopping 89 total tackles this season and was ranked 15th in the ACC for tackles per game last season, so the ‘Canes offensive line will have to step up this weekend.

Despite a threat on defense, Tyler Van Dyke and company can confidently defeat the NC State Wolfpack this Saturday.

Prediction: Miami 17, NC State 13

Quinn Sheehan

It has not always looked pretty for Miami, but over the last two weeks, the ‘Canes have found ways to win against ACC opponents Clemson and Virginia, both in overtime nail-biters. This week, however, the competition will ramp up again for the Hurricanes as they travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to take on the 5-3 NC State Wolfpack.

NC State is coming off a win over Clemson, and its three losses have been to quality opponents in Notre Dame, Louisville, and Duke. The Wolfpack have become accustomed to close games recently, as their last three wins have come by just 17 total points. I expect neither team to pull ahead and for the contest to come down to the previous drive.

Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke struggled in his return against Virginia, but with more preparation and a week behind him, I expect a solid bounce-back effort from Van Dyke.

With the shaky quarterback play over the last two weeks, Miami’s defense has stepped up big time, and I predict that will continue against an NC State offense only averaging 25.3 points per game this season.

Despite traveling to a hostile environment, the Hurricanes won a hard-fought conference win.

Prediction: Miami 23, NC State 20

Wrigley Kordt

Miami has won each of its last two games, but both have come unconvincing; the team has relied on overtime heroics to propel themselves past underwhelming overall performances.

But now, back on the road against a competitive NC State team, the ‘Canes won’t have as much margin for error. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has had a penchant for interceptions lately, throwing two last week against Virginia and seven in his previous three games. He’ll need to reign in the turnovers to get a win against the Wolfpack.

Luckily for the ‘Canes, NC State’s offense has been underwhelming all year. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong has thrown more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five); to add insult to injury, he’s the team’s leading rusher despite only accumulating 286 yards on the ground.

Miami’s passing game may be under duress, but its rushing attack has remained consistent. In a battle between two less-than-stellar quarterbacks, the ground game could be the ‘Canes’ key to victory.

Prediction: Miami 27, NC State 24

Takeaways from Miami’s overtime win against Virginia

Wrigley Kordt
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Takeaways from Miami’s overtime win against Virginia

Another week, another overtime touchdown run and another nail-biting win for the Miami Hurricanes. Miami’s formula for its win against Clemson remained virtually identical against Virginia: the ‘Canes struggled to get anything going in the first half against the Cavaliers, but, much like the week before, they recovered in the second half, forced overtime, and emerged victorious.

The 29-26 win moved Miami to 2-2 in the ACC, and by crossing the 6-win mark overall, the team became bowl game-eligible for the first time since 2021.

But the game was far from perfect, and with a crucial road trip ahead for the ‘Canes, there’s plenty of room to improve. Let’s dive into some takeaways, both good and bad, from Miami’s win on Saturday.

Miami’s diverse run game continued to shine.

Running backs Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher Jr. were the stars of the show, combining for 114 yards and two touchdowns on only 22 carries. Allen gave Miami its first touchdown of the game on a gritty, SportsCenter-worthy 26-yard run in the third quarter.

But with the game on the line in overtime, head coach Mario Cristobal turned to Fletcher on three straight carries, and the freshman back rewarded his coach’s trust with an 11-yard scamper into the endzone to win the game.

“Fletcher runs really hard,” remarked Cristobal. “He has the complete trust of the entire organization.”

Miami’s run game, one of the best in the ACC, doesn’t rely on a single lead back. In fact, only one back surpassed the 20-carry mark in a game this season: Donald Chaney Jr. ran the ball 24 times in the loss to Georgia Tech. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has trusted the hot hand all season with his running backs, and the strategy has paid dividends.

Tyler Van Dyke’s post-bye woes continued.

Van Dyke returned to the field after a one-week absence but struggled mightily against the Cavaliers’ defense. Van Dyke threw for a meager 163 yards — his lowest mark of the year — while throwing two interceptions and failing to record a passing touchdown. Since starting ACC play, the junior signal-caller has caught the turnover bug, throwing seven interceptions in his last three starts.

This high turnover rate is uncharted territory for Van Dyke, who threw five interceptions last season and six in his 2021ACC Rookie of the Year campaign.

“I just gotta make better decisions,” the quarterback admitted. “Just gotta go back to the drawing board and prepare better.”

Van Dyke’s passing woes were especially prevalent when targeting wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. His first interception of the day was on an underthrown 26-yard pass to Restrepo down the left sideline. Later, on a crucial fourth-quarter third down play, Van Dyke once again forced the ball to Restrepo, this time in double coverage, and it resulted in an incomplete pass.

The Van Dyke-Restrepo connection is objectively a good thing. The quarterback and receiver have immense chemistry, which often leads to reliable yardage as well as big plays. But Van Dyke used his favorite receiver as a crutch against the Cavaliers, forcing throws to him in unfavorable situations despite the availability of other quality targets. Van Dyke’s struggles can be pinned on several factors, but when quality receivers like Colbie Young and Jacolby George are on the field, the signal-caller needs to start placing trust in receivers who aren’t his roommate.

The pass rush maintained its hot streak, but the run defense faltered in big moments.

Miami’s pass rush continued its hot streak, recording five sacks for the third straight game. Defensive tackle Brandon Deen recorded two sacks and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa notched 1.5. But, once again, freshman defensive lineman Reuben Bain Jr. was the star of the show. He tied for the team lead with two sacks and made his presence felt nearly every time Virginia quarterback Tony Muskett dropped back.

The pass rush’s impact on Virginia’s passing offense was evident early on. Following a drive in which Bain recorded a sack and a quarterback hit on back-to-back plays, Muskett started getting the ball out quickly as the Cavaliers’ receivers opted for shorter, faster-developing routes. Though this proved effective for shorter gains, the ‘Canes continued to get pressure in longer-yardage situations when the Cavaliers were forced to opt for deeper routes.

Much like the pass rush, Miami’s run defense was coming off a strong game against Clemson, holding the Tigers to 31 total yards on the ground at under one yard per carry. However, the ‘Canes failed to repeat that performance on Saturday, allowing the Cavaliers to tally 138 rushing yards. Running backs Perris Jones and Mike Hollins accounted for the bulk of Virginia’s rushing production, amassing a combined 107 yards. Jones averaged over six yards per carry, while Hollins hammered in two touchdowns with ease.

Miami’s run defense wasn’t entirely terrible: it held Muskett to only six yards, a miniscule tally compared to the 66 yards he compiled against North Carolina a week earlier. But considering the team’s hot start against the run — Miami held its first five opponents to under 100 rushing yards — allowing 100-plus yards in two out of its last three games is a cause for concern.

With four games left, the ‘Canes’ run defense will need to step up. Preventing upcoming ranked opponents — namely No. 4 Florida State and No. 15 Louisville — from controlling game flow will start with a stout run defense. Furthermore, Boston College, the Hurricanes’ final opponent of the season, ranks tenth in the nation in rush yards per game. Miami will need to return to employing a strong defensive front if it wants to stay afloat in the ACC.

Miami honors seniors, drops final game against Wake Forest

Caleb Shapiro
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Miami honors seniors, drops final game against Wake Forest

Editor’s Note: This article’s original publishing date was on Oct. 28.

On a brisk Thursday evening in Coral Gables, the Miami Hurricanes soccer team wrapped up their 2023 season in a 2-0 loss versus Wake Forest. It was a campaign that saw a team struggling to find consistency.

Despite defeat on the field, off the pitch, the night was celebratory, commemorating Senior Day with three ‘Canes spotlighted. Defender Delaney Brown, midfielder Julia Edwards and forward Katerina Molina were each honored appropriately for their time as Hurricanes. Combined, they competed in 167 matches.

Brown, in particular, has been an integral part of Miami’s core, missing just one game over the last four seasons and starting in the majority.

During their tenure, Miami racked up various big-time wins. Most notably, they were victorious at Boston College for the first time in program history, broke a decade-long stretch of losses to Florida, beat a ranked Virginia Tech club and won against eventual NCAA College Cup semifinalist Alabama.

Miami entered its final game without a win since late September against Louisville. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons had been on a tear, dropping just two games the whole year, and hadn’t lost since October 8.

Hurricanes goalkeeper Skylah Klein grabbed many early saves, as the opponents traded shots on goal throughout the beginning of the match. The ‘Canes continued their defensive stand, and the clubs went into the half scoreless. However, the final 45 minutes of play were a different story.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Skylah Klein makes a save, keeping the game scoreless in the first half at Cobb Stadium on Oct. 26, 2023.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Skylah Klein makes a save, keeping the game scoreless in the first half at Cobb Stadium on Oct. 26, 2023. Photo credit: Trevor Castleman

Wake Forest capitalized in both the 60’ and 76’ off goals from junior defender Laurel Ansbrow and midfielder Emily Morris. Morris had her footprints all over the second half with her own score and the corner kick that led to the initial goal.

Hurricanes soccer parting ways with head coach Sarah Barnes

Elliot Farr
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Hurricanes soccer parting ways with head coach Sarah Barnes

University of Miami Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich has announced that soccer head coach Sarah Barnes will not be returning to the program, per an official release.

“After evaluating our soccer program we have decided that it is in our best interests to make a change in leadership,” Radakovich said. “We thank Sarah for her dedication to UM over the past six seasons and wish her well moving forward. Our search for a new head soccer coach will begin immediately.”

The Hurricanes finished the 2023 season with a 3-10-4 record, concluding with a 2-0 loss to Wake Forest on October 26.

Over the six seasons Barnes spent at Miami, she earned a combined record of 24-59-13 as the head coach. Her tenure included signature wins for Hurricanes soccer, including a 2022 win over then-No. 24 Virginia Tech, a thrilling upset of No. 15 Clemson in 2019, and a victory over rival soccer powerhouse Florida State in her first year manning the program.

Before her arrival to Miami, Barnes spent six seasons as the head coach at George Washington University, where she led the Colonials (now known as the Revolutionaries) to a 60-41-14 record. The team made its first A10 Championship appearance since 2002 during her second year. Barnes also won A10 Coach of the Year honors for the 2015 season.

Prior to joining GW, Barnes spent four years as an assistant for the University of Texas. During her time there, the Longhorns posted a 47-30-12 record, where she helped them reach the NCAA Championship and notch three seasons of 12 or more wins.

The Miami Hurricane will continue to follow this story for further announcements or comments from the team.

GEMS Film Festival 2023: the who, when, where and what

Samantha Rodriguez
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GEMS Film Festival 2023: the who, when, where and what
Photo credit: Jorge Simonet, via Wikimedia Commons

See a range of exclusive movies, filmmakers and actors at this year’s GEMS Film Festival, a four-day event happening in Downtown Miami across various cinemas to present the best of the fall film season.

Head to the Koubek Center — a historical mansion with beautiful pillars and natural scenery — on Thursday, Nov. 2 for opening night, where you can see renowned actor Eugenio Derbez accept the GEMS Impact Award for his outstanding contributions to Latin American entertainment.

Attendees will also see a screening of his new movie “Radical,” which takes audiences through a teacher’s radical methods as he attempts to teach neglected students on the Mexican border. After the film, head to the Day of the Dead party at the Koubek Mansion and Garden and take advantage of the complimentary beer, wine and treats.

On Friday Nov. 3, catch Jeffery Wright’s “American Fiction” and Nicholas Cage’s new A24 film, “Dream Scenario,” at Silverspot Cinema 12 and 16, respectively. Located in cities like Miami and Atlanta, the Silverspot Cinema boasts an enchanting atmosphere where moviegoers can watch their films while enjoying items like a house sangria or a coconut jasmine rice bowl at the theater bar.

In his film, Wright plays Thelonious Monk, a Black writer who is told his books aren’t “Black enough.” Monk resorts to stereotypical methods to prove his identity. On the other hand, “Dream Scenario” follows a normal man who enters stardom after he suddenly begins appearing in everyone’s dreams.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron” premieres on Saturday Nov. 4 alongside Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn,” starring “Euphoria” star Jacob Elordi and Barry Keogan, who plays a low-class Oxford student who grows obsessed with his high-class friend. Fennell follows her roots and showcases immoral people receiving justice in “Saltburn.”

“The Boy and the Heron” attracts viewers with its smooth animation and impressive voice cast. The heartfelt film follows a child’s journey into a fantastical world as he searches for his dead mother.

That same afternoon, you won’t want to miss actress Rachel Scott from “BODIES, BODIES, BODIES” in a new dark comedy called “I Used to Be Funny,” which follows a PTSD-ridden house worker who must decide whether to join the search for a missing child she used to babysit.

End the cinematic experience on Sunday, Nov. 5 with a diverse film line-up. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal star in “All of Us Strangers,” with Scott playing a struggling screenwriter who returns to his childhood home and finds his late parents alive.

“The Monk and the Gun,” by Bhutanese filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji, shows the power of evolution and asks if it’s for better or worse. As the Kingdom of Bhutan organizes a mock election to introduce democracy to its citizens, a monk battles for ownership of an ancient weapon to prepare for the change.

See actor Paul Giamatti on closing night in the coming-of-age film “The Holdovers,” which explores the unlikely bond between a pessimistic instructor and a troubled student left on campus over Christmas break.

GEMS Film Festival remains a staple in Miami cinematic culture. As actors, filmmakers and enthusiasts gather for the special event, the film presence in the magic city grows stronger than ever.

Tickets are on sale here, with student tickets are $12 and centerpiece film tickets start at $20. Be sure to save or print the QR code in your confirmation email for admission to your listed cinema.

Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger visits the U, talks new book “Renegade”

Rachel Petrovich
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Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger visits the U, talks new book “Renegade”

Students, faculty and community members filled the Storer Auditorium on Wednesday Oct. 25 for an intimate discussion with former U.S. House of Representatives member Adam Kinzinger, who discussed the contents of his new book, “Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country.”

The book is a journey through the personal and political life of Kinzinger, including his navigation through the Republican party during a transformative time in Congress and how he upheld his faith, service and political duty.

He was joined on stage by Tom Hudson, Wisconsin Literacy Resource Network’s (WLRN) Senior Economics Editor and Special Correspondent for South Florida.

Hudson asked questions ranging from the future of the Republican party, the unique political landscape of Florida and to his stances on current events.

The event was hosted by the Hanley Democracy Center, UM’s hub for research and opportunities promoting the understanding of democracy and governance at home and abroad. In attendance was the center’s founder, George P. Hanley.

Before discussing the release of his new book, the conversation began with the recent news of Mike Johnson (R-LA) being elected as House Speaker, following a tiring three-week long hiatus without a Speaker in the House.

“Nobody’s heard of him before,” Kinzinger said, garnering the first dose of laughter from the audience that evening.

“He, policy-wise, is no different than Jim Jordan, but I think he’s going to be a better pick because he can at least pretend to be interested in government.”

Kinzinger recalled his time as a House member representing Illinois’ 16th congressional district and his interactions with Johnson, along with shared moments between Florida Republicans Governor Ron DeSantis and Representative Matt Gaetz.

He described some members of the Republican party in Congress as “hope yes, vote no” people, who toy with the legislative process for personal gain. Kinzinger expressed concern that the new House Speaker Johnson falls under that category.

He defined the role of his faith in politics and what it means to be a “religiously-inspired conservative,” as Kinzinger noted in “Renegade.”

“I’m a person of faith, but I’ve never sat in a crowd and talked about that in a way that denigrates anybody else,” Kinzinger said. “I represented 700 some thousand people and I guarantee you there were people of different religions I represented. My job wasn’t to be a preacher.”

As for his conservatism, he describes himself as a “Lincoln Republican” in his new book, standing center left on social issues such as voting rights and right on the role of the federal government and infrastructure.

Dylan Long, a freshman studying political science with minors in law & politics and political economy, shares his reaction from the audience.

“I really enjoyed his interesting take on strengthening democracy, specifically coming from the Republican party. He’s able to come with a unique perspective,” Long said.

Tyra Marrs, a second year master’s student studying Public Health (MPH) and Public Administration (MPA, also appreciated the perspective Kinzinger brought.

“I would say it was really refreshing to hear how, even though he is Republican, how he had agreement with Democrats. It was nice to hear a different perspective,” Marrs said.

Kinzinger spoke directly to the audience when highlighting the importance of local news and stepping away from D.C. politics.

“Local news keeps you tied to the community. You can actually hear what’s going on around the community and it keeps local leaders accountable.” Kinzinger said. “I think it’s essential.”

Given his appearance in South Florida for this stop of the book tour, Hudson asked Kinzinger to diagnose the political climate of the sunshine state, to which Kinzinger said it’s a place with “rage, fear and anger.”

“Renegade” also takes an in-depth and personal look into the Jan. 6 insurrection on the United States Capitol and its aftermath from Kinzinger’s perspective. He served on the non-partisan select committee from Jul. 2021 to Jan. 2023, which ultimately came to the conclusion that Donald Trump incited the attack.

“I think Donald Trump’s going to jail,” Kinzinger said. “We don’t want to be a country that prosecutes last administrations because those countries fail, [but] this is a very uniquely acceptable position.”

In light of recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Kinzinger shared his stances on the conflicts, referring to his experience as a soldier with the Air Force and his time fighting in Iraq.

The evening came to a close following audience questions, asked by director of Hanley Democracy Center and professor of Political Science Gregory Koger.

These questions included the impact of public service, the Country First movement, the upcoming Republican debate and his future plans, hinting at a possible return to public office if he sees major change in the Republican party.

REVIEW: “Killers of the Flower Moon” shows wisdom comes with age

Vivica Dunlap
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REVIEW: “Killers of the Flower Moon” shows wisdom comes with age

“Killers of the Flower Moon” doesn’t let you rest, break or breathe. Instead, it keeps you holding onto your seat, trying to figure out what comes next.

Released on Oct. 20, this film tells the true story of how a white businessman orchestrated the murders of Osage Nation members in 1920s Oklahoma after oil is found on reservation land. Directed by American filmmaker Martin Scorsese, viewers watch the story unravel as discrimination against Indigenous peoples runs rampant — until the FBI steps in.

Few directors are quite as powerful as Scorsese, who has created chatter from both film nerds and the average moviegoer since the 70s.

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His most recent falls in line with his other previous films and is a riveting watch from start to finish. You’ll cling to the edge of your seat as you realize that the three-and-a-half-hour runtime goes by quicker than expected.

In many ways, “Killers of the Flower Moon” feels like a culmination of Scorsese’s experiences within his career. It is his most complete film, using many old ideas that he has consistently returned to in a new, more reflexive way.

There are ideas that echo back in this work from past iterations of Scorsese. For example, Scorsese takes influence from his themes of family and toxic masculinity in both “Goodfellas” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” as he explores Leonardo Dicaprio’s character — Ernest Burkhart — and his family’s futile desire to cling to power.

Despite DiCaprio’s emotive performance and Robert DeNiro’s commanding stage presence as criminal mastermind William Hale, they are blown out of the water by newcomer Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Burkhart, oil empire heiress, DiCaprio’s wife and a member of the Osage Nation.

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Sharp on her toes, Gladstone captivates the audience with her emotional range that comes through with a single look.

Her performance connects back to what is so special about Scorsese as a director. He is able to develop complex characters regardless of their gender, and Mollie is no different. She is fierce, sensitive, loyal and strong.

Just like his ability to develop strong characters regardless of gender, Scorsese develops the characterization of the indigenous people of Osage County just as strongly. His respect for the culture and history of these people is evident in the film.

The movie shifts around two-thirds of the way through and picks up steam as the characters unravel. What was first an old mystery caper now becomes a law drama, a subtle shift that it feels natural to the story.

It’s hard to think of anything wrong with this film. With “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese proves once again why he is a master of his craft.

Rating: 5/5

The magic of Mancini: Arsht Center to celebrate composer’s 100th birthday

Rachel Petrovich
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The magic of Mancini: Arsht Center to celebrate composer’s 100th birthday
Photo credit: Adrienne Arsht Center

Whether it’s the heavenly melodies that accompanied Audrey Hepburn, the nostalgic backing track to the Pink Panther’s mischief or the sultry latin rhythms of Lujon that have decorated film soundtracks, you’ve undoubtedly heard his music. But have you heard his name?

Henry Mancini is the composer of this musical magic behind the silver screen, and his presence is felt right here at UM’s Frost School of Music.

Astutely named the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI), graduate music students can be found in various ensembles such as an orchestra, big band and string quartet within the institute.

The HMI Orchestra will grace the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Center on Friday, Nov. 3 along with Mancini’s daughter and Grammy-nominated vocalist Monica Mancini, dean of the Frost School and pianist Shelly Berg and eight-time Grammy winner and producer Gregg Field for a night of celebration and an immersive journey through Mancini’s compositions.

“You can expect a fantastic performance by some really well-known and remarkable artists,” Berg said. “With multimedia film and other images and a night full of melodies that everybody knows, it’ll be a lot of fun for all who attend, and it doesn’t matter what kind of music you like or what age you are.

In both his music and his life, Mancini’s legacy is often described as versatile. After being introduced to flute and piano at a young age and later taking his talents to the Juilliard School of Music in New York, he was drafted into the Air Force, serving overseas and in the infantry during World War II.

After returning home from the war, Mancini joined the Glenn Miller-Tex Beneke Orchestra as a pianist and arranger, and it was there that he met big band vocalist and soon-to-be wife of 43 years, Ginny O’Connor.

Not long after joining the orchestra, he began carving out a name for himself in Hollywood with Ginny by his side. In 1952, he joined the Universal-International music department, where his musical talents contributed to over 100 films.

1954 film “The Glenn Miller Story” earned him his first Academy Award nomination, and was the beginning of a long and rich list of major award achievements in film scoring for Mancini, including 20 Grammys, 4 Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.

The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Photo credit: Frost School of Music

“Henry Mancini redefined what it meant to be a film composer. Before that, it was all sort of late romantic classical music, and he pushed forward into jazz and world-music and other popular things, paving the way for the composers that came after him,” Berg said.

In 1958, Mancini pivoted to more independent work as a free-standing composer and arranger. He garnered a close relationship with film director and screenwriter Blake Edwards, where he embarked on some of his most notable projects, like the Peter Gunn television series and movies Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Days of Wine and Roses and the Pink Panther.

Henry’s daughter Monica Mancini reflected on this stage of her father’s career and what it was like growing up surrounded by music.

“It was a musical home with all kinds of different genres. We were listening to showtunes, The Beatles, The Beach Boys…so as a result of that, my Dad also took a lot of interest in the music that we were playing. So, I think that inspired him to broaden his musical space as well,” Mancini said.

Mancini’s versatility across genres was cause for his global in-demand presence, being a concert performer for major orchestras around the world in his later career. This cross-genre experience is at the heart of the Frost School and will be reflected on stage Friday.

“The Henry Mancini Institute is designed around versatility, where musicians come to the Frost School to not only play the genre that they’re majoring in, but to play world music, jazz, popular and classical music,” Berg said. “In this concert, there’s gonna be everything from very classical music to very jazzy music to a country hoedown.”

Mancini music programs are found at various institutions across the country, but this Friday’s concert at the Arsht Center holds a special meaning for the Mancini family.

“My mom passed away a couple years ago, and she was my biggest fan. She used to show up in Miami at all the concerts, she was very into being at the Arsht Center with me and sitting front and center and closing her eyes and listening to the music,” Mancini said.

The enchanting evening will take place at 8 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 3 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, and students can also be a part of the magic and receive a discounted ticket when registered with the ArshtPass.

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