• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig Lindsey
    Jul 25, 2019 | 6:00 am

    Even though the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing is already behind us, there are some spots that are still in a spacey, celebratory mood.

    Discovery Green’s The Grove has $5 artisanal moon pies and $10 Moonwalk cocktails that will be available through July 27. The luxe moon pies are available in classic and chocolate, and the Moonwalk is made with grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, rose water, and champagne.

    As always, here are some events that will add a blast to your weekend.

    Thursday, July 25

    Klearly Kristen Resort 2020 Fashion Show at Social Graces Social Club
    Local jewelry designer Kristen Fenrick will show off some brand-new bling as she hosts her Resort 2020 Fashion Show this weekend. She’ll debut Klearly Kristen Inc., an offshoot of her jewelry brand, designed to assist women by empowering them to create their own financial realities. Fenrick says no woman should ever feel the hopelessness that comes from loss of financial means. Fashion influencer Chris Lavish will make a special appearance. 7-10 pm.

    The Catastrophic Theatre’s Speeding Motorcycle at MATCH
    For those not in the know, there is a rock opera based on the songs of legendary outsider musician and artist Daniel Johnston. This revival of the 2006 production, directed by Catastrophic’s associate artistic director Tamarie Cooper, reunites much of the original creative team along with an updated script by artistic director Jason Nodler. For the next two weekends, this show promises to take audiences deep into the astounding, hilarious, and heartbreaking world of one of America’s most compelling cult musicians. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday and Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday).

    Friday, July 26

    J.B. Smoove at House of Blues Houston
    J.B. Smoove is, quite simply, a damn fool. He's like one of those family members who says and does the most, um, ignant things that'll leave you in a constant state of stitches. He's been doing it for years as Leon, the houseguest who simply refuses to leave Larry David's property, on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He can currently be seen on the big screen, acting as ridiculous as he possibly can in Spider-Man: Far From Home. You can also see him doing stand-up this weekend. 7 pm.

    Iyanla Vanzant at Jones Hall
    Many of you may know Iyanla Vanzant as one of Oprah Winfrey's longtime homies and the host of Iyanla: Fix My Life on OWN, while some of may know her from this ever-resourceful meme. The celebrity life coach will be making a stop on her Acts of Faith Remix tour. This inspirational and interactive event celebrates the updated 25th anniversary edition of this internationally acclaimed bestseller. 8 pm.

    Saturday, July 27

    Rock It Baby Rock It Festival Preview at Cactus Music
    On Friday and Saturday at the Continental Club, the Rock It Baby Rock It Festival will bring in bands and fans from across Texas and beyond for two nights of contemporary and legendary rockabilly, psychobilly, and old school country music. For those who prefer a daytime taste of this zoot-suit riot of hot rods, hair grease, sharp threads, and vintage tunes, Cactus will have an in-store preview, featuring music from DJ Black Slacks and Tomcat y el Rock N Roll Combo. 1-2:30 pm.

    Robby Bennett at the Grand 1894 Opera House
    Saturday night is going to be one magical night. Of course, we got Houston’s own Ben Jackson, doing his regular thing at the Four Seasons. But, also, visiting illusionist Robby Bennett will be over in Galveston, performing his spellbinding routines with gripping stories and hilarious anecdotes as narration. Bennett will even take someone from the audience and turn them into a genuine magician in a matter of minutes. This unique blend of fantasy and comedy makes this the kind of performance modern audiences have been waiting for. 7:30 pm.

    Sunday, July 28

    Matisyahu at White Oak Music Hall
    Remember back in the day when Matisyahu was a rising reggae singer/rapper on the scene and he looked like a rabbinical student? These days, dude's out here resembling a beach-bum David Strathairn. Well, he's still around, as he and his band record music, do shows, and keep things respectably irie. He's currently on tour, as part of Slightly Stoopid's How I Spent My Summer Vacation 2019 Tour, along with Tribal Seeds and Hirie. 4:30 pm.

    Tarnation and Angel at Rice Cinema
    The 23rd annual QFest, better known as Houston's international LGBTQ+ film festival, is currently underway, running through this Wednesday. The fest has many special screenings going on around the city, including two at Rice Cinema on Sunday. First, there's Tarnation, the 2004 award-winning, coming-of-age documentary by Houstonian Jonathan Caouette (who will be in attendance). Next, things get a little sleazy with a screening of the 1984 exploitation flick Angel. 5 pm.

    Take in a fashion show with a good cause on Thursday.

    Klearly Kristen Fashion Show Houston Weekend Events
    Photo courtesy of Klearly Kristen
    Take in a fashion show with a good cause on Thursday.
    event-planner
    news/entertainment

    most read posts

    French pastry chef picks Houston for U.S. debut and more top stories

    Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025

    Trader Joe's sets Cypress opening date, confirms Bellaire plans

    Movie Review

    Meta-comedy remake Anaconda coils itself into an unfunny mess

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 26, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda
    Photo by Matt Grace
    Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda.

    In Hollywood’s never-ending quest to take advantage of existing intellectual property, seemingly no older movie is off limits, even if the original was not well-regarded. That’s certainly the case with 1997’s Anaconda, which is best known for being a lesser entry on the filmography of Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez, as well as some horrendous accent work by Jon Voight.

    The idea behind the new meta-sequel Anaconda is arguably a good one. Four friends — Doug (Jack Black), Griff (Paul Rudd), Claire (Thandiwe Newton), and Kenny (Steve Zahn) — who made homemade movies when they were teenagers decide to remake Anaconda on a shoestring budget. Egged on by Griff, an actor who can’t catch a break, the four of them pull together enough money to fly down to Brazil, hire a boat, and film a script written by Doug.

    Naturally, almost nothing goes as planned in the Amazon, including losing their trained snake and running headlong into a criminal enterprise. Soon enough, everything else takes second place to the presence of a giant anaconda that is stalking them and anyone else who crosses its path.

    Written and directed by Tom Gormican, with help from co-writer Kevin Etten, the film is designed to be an outrageous comedy peppered with laugh-out-loud moments that cover up the fact that there’s really no story. That would be all well and good … if anything the film had to offer was truly funny. Only a few scenes elicit any honest laughter, and so instead the audience is fed half-baked jokes, a story with no focus, and actors who ham it up to get any kind of reaction.

    The biggest problem is that the meta-ness of the film goes too far. None of the core four characters possess any interesting traits, and their blandness is transferred over to the actors playing them. And so even as they face some harrowing situations or ones that could be funny, it’s difficult to care about anything they do since the filmmakers never make the basic effort of making the audience care about them.

    It’s weird to say in a movie called Anaconda, but it becomes much too focused on the snake in the second half of the film. If the goal is to be a straight-up comedy, then everything up to and including the snake attacks should be serving that objective. But most of the time the attacks are either random or moments when the characters are already scared, and so any humor that could be mined all but disappears.

    Black and Rudd are comedy all-stars who can typically be counted on to elevate even subpar material. That’s not the case here, as each only scores on a few occasions, with Black’s physicality being the funniest thing in the movie. Newton is not a good fit with this type of movie, and she isn’t done any favors by some seriously bad wigs. Zahn used to be the go-to guy for funny sidekicks, but he brings little to the table in this role.

    Any attempt at rebooting/remaking an old piece of IP should make a concerted effort to differentiate itself from the original, and in that way, the new Anaconda succeeds. Unfortunately, that’s its only success, as the filmmakers can never find the right balance to turn it into the bawdy comedy they seemed to want.

    ---

    Anaconda is now playing in theaters.

    moviesfilm
    news/entertainment
    Loading...