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    Movie Review

    Starry Death on the Nile loses mystery of Agatha Christie

    Alex Bentley
    Feb 10, 2022 | 11:11 am
    Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile.play icon
    Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile.
    Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

    A few interesting things happened on the way to Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile being released in theaters. Originally scheduled for October 23, 2020, the pandemic pushed the release to September 17, 2021.

    But then, lead actor Armie Hammer was embroiled in a very strange sex scandal, pushing the film to its current release date. On the positive side, Branagh went on to direct a very personal film, Belfast, which is nominated for seven Oscars, including two for Branagh himself.

    All of that weighs heavily on the film, a quasi-sequel to 2017’s dreadful Murder on the Orient Express, in which Branagh put his first spin on Agatha Christie’s iconic detective Hercule Poirot. Poirot is back, this time aboard a pleasure cruise on the Nile River in Egypt where Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) and Simon Doyle (Hammer) are celebrating their recent wedding, an affair for which no expense has been spared.

    Per usual with Christie stories, the film is full of characters/suspects, including Doyle’s jilted lover Jacqueline (Emma Mackey); Poirot’s friend, Bouc (Tom Bateman), and his mother, Euphemia (Annette Bening); Linnet’s old flame, Windlesham (Russell Brand), who happens to be a doctor; singer Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo) and her niece, Rosalie (Letitia Wright); and more.

    Death is contagious aboard the boat, as more than one character meets his or her demise. However, as was the case with Orient Express, a feeling of mystery is nonexistent in the film, which is very strange since that’s the point of the entire story. There are many reasons for this failure, but chief among them is it takes far too long for the main part of the film to start.

    Branagh and writer Michael Green set up an elaborate story in which Poirot is not just coincidentally on the boat, but an actual acquaintance of multiple people on board, including the just-married couple. That twist changes the dynamics of the various interactions he has with everybody on board, and not in a good way. When bodies start piling up, Poirot’s unique observation skills feel less-than-compelling.

    Green, back again after writing Orient Express, was nominated for an Oscar for co-writing 2017’s Logan, but he’s also been responsible for such dreck as Green Lantern, The Call of the Wild, and Jungle Cruise, which is as good an indicator of his talent as anything else. The only interesting wrinkle he adds to the story is a tragic backstory for Poirot, but that tidbit winds up being apropos of nothing.

    The cast of the film do their level best with what they’re given. Branagh hams it up with the French accent, but it works for the character. Gadot is as luminous and charming as ever, but ultimately has little to do. Hammer always has a distinct smarminess to him, but that aspect plays much differently now. The best actor in the bunch, Bateman, is probably the least known, as he is a regular on British TV but has few movies to his credit.

    Branagh proved himself a great filmmaker with Belfast, but almost none of that ability is on display in Death on the Nile. Christie was one of the great mystery writers of all time, but it’s time for Branagh to give up the ghost of trying to revive her stories, especially when he has little to add to her legacy.

    ---

    Death on the Nile opens in theaters on February 11.

    Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile.

    Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile
    Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios
    Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile.
    movies
    news/entertainment

    weekend event planner

    These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Oct 7, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Chris Brown and Usher
    Photo by Julian Buchan
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    This weekend, the Houston Cinema Arts Festival will wind down with screenings at such venues as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Rice Cinema, and The DeLUXE Theater. The DeLUXE will also be present the Houston Comedy Film Festival, a two-day celebration of funny features and shorts. The fest will also have a performance by a live jazz band, aerial performers, and networking opportunities.

    Fall festival season rolls on with everything from the Bayou City Art Festival to the Korean Festival Houston and opening weekend of the Texas Renaissance Festival. But let’s be honest: a lot of ladies will be at Reliant Stadium, hoping this man will feed them cherries.

    Thursday, October 8

    The Garden Club of Houston presents Bulb and Plant Mart
    The Garden Club of Houston's Bulb & Plant Mart offers top-quality bulbs from the best growers around the United States and abroad. Additional special exhibits will include the live butterfly tent from The Houston Museum of Natural Science Cockrell Butterfly Center. Proceeds from the three-day event are used for the purposes of stimulating the interest in and knowledge of gardening, enhancing the beauty of our community, and protecting and restoring our fragile ecosystem. 5 pm (9 am Friday and Saturday).

    Chris Brown and Usher
    Photo by Julian Buchan

    Chris Brown and Usher in concert.

    The University of Houston Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies (CMALS) and the Center for Public History presents Chulas Fronteras 50th Anniversary Film Screening/Panel
    The University of Houston Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies and the Center for Public History invite the community to celebrate Les Blank’s landmark 1976 documentary Chulas Fronteras, which explores the rich traditions and cultural history of Tex-Mex music. The evening will include Tex-Mex music historical footage compiled by film curator Peter Lucas; a post-screening panel; and an after-party at Winnie’s, featuring DJ sets from Santos Sounds, Mexico City’s Sabotage Media, and Austin’s Trucha Soul. 6 pm.

    My Hero Academia in Concert
    The concert brings the anime’s 10-year, eight-season journey to life on stage. Accompanied by a 15-piece live band performing Yuki Hayashi’s score synced with visuals of people's favorite scenes, every note captures the triumph, heartbreak, and courage of Class 1-A, creating an immersive concert experience for fans new and old alike. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, October 9

    Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park 2026
    An outdoor gallery will take over Memorial Park this weekend, offering patrons the opportunity to meet artists, view original works, and purchase paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, functional art, and more. The three-day festival will feature live entertainment stages, a food truck park, and beverage stations throughout the festival. You and others can stroll around Houston’s iconic Memorial Park while enjoying the festival’s wine and craft beer garden. 10 am. (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

    Fielding’s Steak presents Old Fashioned Flight
    Fielding’s Steak is raising a glass to one of America’s most iconic cocktails with the launch of a limited-edition Old Fashioned Flight, in celebration of Old Fashioned Week. Created as a tasting experience, the specialty flight features four unique interpretations of the classic Old Fashioned, each highlighting a different flavor profile while keeping bourbon and rye at the heart of the cocktail. Through Saturday, October 18. 11:30 am (11 am Saturday and Sunday).

    Chris Brown and Usher in concert
    R&B singers Chris Brown and Usher will be in Houston for two nights, as part of their The R&B Tour – and you know it’s going to be a problem. Their knack for inviting female audience members on stage for some simulated lasciviousness – which has obviously made some boyfriends and husbands a bit perturbed – has even made Saturday Night Live poke fun at it. Anyway, Chris Brown is touring in support of his new album, Brown. Usher has released nine albums in his career, most recently Coming Home in 2024. 7 pm.

    St. Luke's United Methodist Church presents Roger Sayer: Interstellar 10
    St. Luke's United Methodist Church and the Houston chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present internationally acclaimed organist Roger Sayer (who performed on the soundtrack of Christopher Nolan's 2014 film Interstellar) in concert, as part of his Interstellar 10 tour. The event coincides with World Space Week, making Houston's "Space City" an ideal setting for an evening inspired by one of the most beloved science fiction films of the modern era. 7 pm.

    Saturday, October 10

    Fluff Bake Bar Saturday Morning Specials x EJ Miller
    Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar welcomes executive chef EJ Miller of Chardon for a special edition of her recurring Saturday morning specials. The collaboration will showcase a French-inspired bakery lineup, bringing together Miller’s culinary perspective with Masson’s signature approach to baking. Folks with a sweet tooth can stop by for a selection of freshly baked treats and pastries, with the menu to be announced on Fluff's Instagram. 10 am.

    Korean Festival Houston
    Korean Festival Houston celebrates the best of Korean food, music, performing arts, and culture. The fest welcomes a broad and vibrant community of Houstonians, including foodies, K-Pop fans, families, and anyone eager to experience Korean culture. Headliners Big Ocean, the first K-Pop group with hard-of-hearing members, will perform at 7 pm on Saturday. Sensory-friendly hours, held on Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm, will offer a quieter, more relaxed festival experience. 10 am (11 am Sunday).

    The Secret Group presents Land of the Neon Sun Houston Music Community Learning Event and Album Release Party
    The Suffers frontwoman Kam Franklin has a heavy schedule this weekend. Along with doing several shows at various coffeehouses in the city, she’ll also have an album release party for her solo debut, Land of the Neon Sun, as well as a free learning event for and by the local music community. The learning event will be early in the day, complete with an industry panel and a stripped-down set from Franklin. Later that evening, Franklin will be back with her band and some special guests to perform songs from the album. 5 and 10 pm.

    37th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens Concert
    Presented by Texas Folklife, the annual concert spotlights the accordion’s powerful role across Texas cultural communities and the many styles it brings to the stage: polka, conjunto, zydeco, Cajun, Tejano, swing, and more. The 37th annual concert will feature headliner Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and The Zydeco Twisters. Rooted in a celebrated Louisiana family tradition, the band delivers dance-floor zydeco with driving rhythms and crowd-ready energy. 7 pm.

    Montrose Grocer presents Danse Macabre
    The hip Montrose wine bar and shop will be joined by guest sommeliers Christina (Theodore Rex, Nancy's Hustle) and Mark Sayre (March, Milton's) for an evening of French wine and music. Look for an all-vinyl soundtrack of Cold Wave and Industrial tunes paired with by-the-glass wines priced at $20 or less. 9 pm.

    Sunday, October 11

    Texas Renaissance Festival
    The Texas Renaissance Festival will kick off its 52nd season of chivalry, merriment, and magical experiences this weekend. New acts for the 2026 season include Paladin, the Errant Fool, the wandering jester who can be found throughout the festival; Sons of Olympus, where two brothers bring the gods and goddesses to life through aerial performance, acrobatics, fire, and death-defying stunts; and Lester Jesterson,the "best-er jester" at the Mockingbird Music Gazebo. Through Sunday, November 29. 9 am. (9 am Saturday).

    Filipino American History Month Festival
    The annual event celebrates Filipino American culture, heritage, and community connection. The day will include a culinary demonstration; a breaking and hip-hop showcase by B-Girl Eden and District Arts; performances by Filipino American rapper NUMP, American Idol contestant Cameron Concepcion, DJ Seduction & Kleancutt of the Krackernuttz, and Houston-based hip-hop artist Elow the Great; and more. Noon.

    Candlelight presents Classic Rock on Strings and The Best of Hans Zimmer
    Candlelight will present two live string-quartet concerts at Space Center Houston, one day after World Space Week concludes. The evening pairs Classic Rock on Strings with The Best of Hans Zimmer. Surrounded by thousands of candles, the performances will bring familiar rock anthems and cinematic scores to a venue closely connected to Houston’s role in human spaceflight. 6:30 and 8:45 pm.

    things to dofestivalsusherhoustonweekend eventsevent-planner
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