Weekend Events Planner

Here are the top 9 things to do in Houston this weekend

The weather has thawed, football has a week off (no one should watch the Pro Bowl), and the pull of those New Year's resolutions has started to feel more faint. In other words, it's time to get out and have some fun. We've rounded up a guide to the nine best things to do in Houston this weekend. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

A new car
Thursday, January 25
Find a new set of wheels at the 2018 Houston Auto Show. The 35th annual event features all the latest models from more than 30 manufacturers spread out across more than 800,000-square feet at NRG Center. Open daily through Monday. (10 am Thursday and Friday, noon Saturday and Sunday; tickets: $5 kids six to 12, $12 for adults)
1 NRG Park; 713-629-3700

Come on down!
Thursday, January 25
Everyone's favorite TV show to watch on a day off comes to Sugar Land in the form of The Price Is Right Live. For one night only, randomly-selected attendees will have the opportunity to come on down for the chance to play classic games like Plinko™, spin the Big Wheel, and even compete for a fabulous Showcase. Lucky audience members can even win prizes right from their seats. (8 pm; tickets: $39.50 - $49.50)
18111 Lexington Blvd. Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Joe jitsu
Friday, January 26
Comedian Joe Rogan brings his Strange Times tour to downtown's Revention Music Center for two sets. In addition to his inquisitive and intense comedic style, Rogan is known for his podcast and work as a MMA color commentator. (6:30 pm and 10 pm; tickets: $39.50 - $59.50)
520 Texas Ave.; 713-230-1600

Feel the rhythm
Friday, January 26
Kaleidoscope Houston brings an evening of art, film, music, and fashion to the Museum of Health with Houstonary 2018. The one night only event features performances, film screenings a fashion show, and a pop-up shop, as well as the chance to preview the museum's new BIORHYTHM: Music and Body exhibit created by Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. Advance tickets are highly recommended. (7 pm VIP, 8 pm general admission; tickets: $35 or $55)
1515 Hermann Dr.

Hoop it up
Friday, January 26
Watch the Original Harlem Globetrotters demonstrate the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that has made them world famous. Players will stay for an autograph, photograph, and high five session for fans after the game — after all, nothing gets likes on social media like posing with a Globetrotter. A second show takes places Saturday afternoon. (Friday 7 pm and Saturday 2 pm; tickets: $19 - $115)
1 NRG Park; 713-629-3700

Feet don't fail me now
Saturday, January 27
Join thousands of supporters, advocates, and breast cancer survivors at the 27th annual Susan G. Komen Houston Race for the Cure®. The event raises funds to helm the Komen Foundation realize its goal of a 50-percent reduction in breast cancer deaths by 2026. To date, Komen Houston has contributed more than $50 million to more than 65 local organizations to provide services throughout Houston to underinsured and uninsured men and women who receive life-saving breast cancer screenings, treatment, transportation, and other necessary supportive services. (8 am; registration: $40)
901 Bagby St.; 713-783-9188

Happy birthday, BuffBrew!
Saturday, January 27
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company celebrates its sixth anniversary by tapping over 40 special anniversary brews as well as several classic draughts. This will be the brewery's last anniversary party before moving to its massive, $14 million new brewery and pub in Sawyer Yards. Blood Bros. BBQ will be on hand with plenty of smoky goodness. (6 pm; tickets: $40)
5301 Nolda St.

Watch 'em fly
Saturday, January 27
Nothing says a night of family fun like watching a 12-foot tall, 10,000-pound truck with at least 1,500 horsepower fly 130-feet in the air. No wonder Monster Jam packs NRG Stadium every time it comes to town. (7 pm; tickets: $15 - $60)
2 NRG Park; 512-477-6060

If you sing
Sunday, January 28
Head to Midtown's South Main Baptist Church to Hear the Future. The Houston Chamber Choir's 19th annual invitational choral festival features three outstanding choirs: the Aldine Children’s Honor Choir, Colleen Riddle, director; the Fort Settlement Middle Varsity Choir directed by Kimala Ross; and the O. Davis High School Choir under the direction of Daryle Freeman. (4 pm; free)
4100 Main St; 713-224-5566

See the Globetrotters on Friday or Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters

See the Globetrotters on Friday or Saturday.

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Movie Review

Star TV producer James L. Brooks stumbles with meandering movie Ella McCay

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Emma Mackey in Ella McCay.

The impact that writer/director/producer James L. Brooks has made on Hollywood cannot be understated. The 85-year-old created The Mary Tyler Moore Show, personally won three Oscars for Terms of Endearment, and was one of the driving forces behind The Simpsons, among many other credits. Now, 15 years after his last movie, he’s back in the directing chair with Ella McCay.

The similarly-named Emma Mackey plays Ella, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor of an unnamed state in 2008 who’s on the verge of becoming governor when Governor Bill (Albert Brooks) gets picked to be a member of the president’s Cabinet. What should be a happy time is sullied by her needy husband, Ryan (Jack Lowden), her agoraphobic brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), and her perpetually-cheating father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson).

Despite the trio of men competing to bring her down, Ella remains an unapologetic optimist, an attitude bolstered by her aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), her assistant Estelle (Julie Kavner), and her police escort, Trooper Nash (Kumail Nanjiani). The film follows her over a few days as she navigates the perils of governing, the distractions her family brings, and the expectations being thrust upon her by many different people.

Brooks, who wrote and directed the film, is all over the place with his storytelling. What at first seems to be a straightforward story about Ella and her various issues soon starts meandering into areas that, while related to Ella, don’t make the film better. Prime among them are her brother and father, who are given a relatively small amount of screentime in comparison to the importance they have in her life. This is compounded by a confounding subplot in which Casey tries to win back his girlfriend, Susan (Ayo Edebiri).

Then there’s the whole political side of the story, which never finds its focus and is stuck in the past. Though it’s never stated explicitly, Ella and Governor Bill appear to be Democrats, especially given a signature program Ella pushes to help mothers in need. But if Brooks was trying to provide an antidote to the current real world politics, he doesn’t succeed, as Ella’s full goals are never clear. He also inexplicably shows her boring her fellow lawmakers to tears, a strange trait to give the person for whom the audience is supposed to be rooting.

What saves the movie from being an all-out train wreck is the performances of Mackey and Curtis. Mackey, best known for the Netflix show Sex Education, has an assured confidence to her that keeps the character interesting and likable even when the story goes downhill. Curtis, who has tended to go over-the-top with her roles in recent years, tones it down, offering a warm place of comfort for Ella to turn to when she needs it. The two complement each other very well and are the best parts of the movie by far.

Brooks puts much more effort into his female actors, including Kavner, who, even though she serves as an unnecessary narrator, gets most of the best laugh lines in the film. Harrelson is capable of playing a great cad, but his character here isn’t fleshed out enough. Fearn is super annoying in his role, and Lowden isn’t much better, although that could be mostly due to what his character is called to do. Were it not for the always-great Brooks and Nanjiani, the movie might be devoid of good male performances.

Brooks has made many great TV shows and movies in his 60+ year career, but Ella McCay is a far cry from his best. The only positive that comes out of it is the boosting of Mackey, who proves herself capable of not only leading a film, but also elevating one that would otherwise be a slog to get through.

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Ella McCay opens in theaters on December 12.

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