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6 best movies, podcasts, and TV shows to stream in Houston this weekend

Check into Room 104 on HBO.

Photo courtesy of HBO

This weekend makes one seriously reconsider going outside. It's hot. Plus, there's a potential tropical storm popping off. And, of course, there is that whole you-could-get-sick-from-a-virus-that-still-has-no-vaccine thing. (And let's not forget about all those who go to places not wearing a mask and actually get mad when employees kick them out).

Why not stay in, and catch the latest in podcasts, movies, and TV shows? This week, look for a hotel room thriller, a radioactive heroine, and an exotic return of a reality TV star.

Movies

Radioactive (Prime Video)
Marjane Satrapi, the illustrator who adapted her autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis to the big screen, goes the live-action route in this biographical drama (which is actually based on a graphic novel she didn't write). Rosamund Pike assumes the role of Marie Curie, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist who was a trailblazer when it came to pioneering research on radioactivity. Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma.) co-stars as Curie's daughter. (Premiering on Friday)

The Rental (IFC)
Dave Franco, the adorable little brother of James Franco, has co-written and directed a new thriller that you can see at home or at a couple of theaters around here. This one is about a foursome of people (including Alison Brie, Franco's wife) who go on a weekend vacation at a cliffside rental property and find themselves being stalked by a hammer-wielding madman. The crazy part is that, even before the killer wreaks havoc, these folks are already paranoid and suspicious of one another. (Available to rent)

Podcasts

Full Release with Samantha Bee (Earwolf)
Fans of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, the weekly news-satire show hosted by the former Daily Show correspondent, might want to check out this new podcast. Instead of slamming the politicians, pundits and other newsmakers she does exceptionally on her show, Bee has unscripted conversations with the best and the brightest —mostly about this messed-up year is and how things could hopefully get better. So far, she's already hollered at TV journalist Soledad O'Brien and author Jelani Cobb.

SmartLess (self-distributed)
One of the crazy things about this pandemic is that it has gotten bored celebrities to come together and bond through podcasting. Like, did you ever think Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes would get together for a show? Well, they have with this newly launched program, where each episode begins with one of the hosts revealing his mystery guest to the other two and the audience. Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, Julia-Louis Dreyfus and Neil DeGrasse Tyson are just a few of the surprise guests.

Television

Room 104 (HBO)
The fourth and final season of the anthology series from indie filmmakers/actors Jay and Mark Duplass, where people land in the same motel room and get the freakiest experience of their lives, premieres this weekend. Dave Bautista, Linda Lavin, Ron Funches, Kevin Nealon, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Melissa Fumero are just a few of the guest stars who check in. Do they check out? Well, you're just gonna have to tune in and see. (Premieres on Friday at 10 pm).

Surviving Joe Exotic (Animal Planet)
For those who still can't get enough of hearing about Joe Exotic, that publicity-craving zoo operator who landed in jail for animal abuse and attempting to kill a rival tiger enthusiast (and whose life was laid out in the successful Netflix docuseries Tiger King), Animal Planet has a special treat for you. The channel has footage of their own of Exotic, capturing him at his firearm-blasting nuttiest. You also get to meet the poor animals that thankfully got out of that mess. (Premieres on Saturday at 9 pm)

movies tv podcasts

Chicago Greats

Classic rock bands Chicago and Styx team up for tour coming to Houston

Chicago/Facebook

Chicago and Styx are co-headlining for the first time on this tour.

Two classic rock icons from the Windy City are hitting the road together next year. Chicago and Styx will bring the wordy tour, called The Windy Cities Tour - All The Hits…Your Kind of Tour, to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on August 20, 2026.

The tour starts in West Palm Beach in July and ends in Los Angeles in September. In addition to Houston, it'll stop in at the Moody Center in Austin on August 19.

This is the first time these multi-Platinum bands have co-headlined a tour together. Aside from being from the same city, they share a reputation for a slick sound and a certain theatricality, whether that's from musical theater or jazz influences.

“We are excited about the summer tour,” said Chicago trumpeter Lee Loughnane in a press release. “Chicago has never toured with Styx before so it's going to be a lot of fun, we're looking forward to it.”

Chicago was the highest-charting American band in Billboard Magazine's Top 125 Artists of All Time in 2019 (where it was No. 10 overall, beat by Brits and solo artists). They've toured every single year, making this their 59th year on the road. In 2025, Chicago released a deluxe version of 2005's Love Songs.

Styx, known for dramatic hits like “Come Sail Away” and “Renegade,” debuted in 1972 and is still making new music, including the 2025 album Circling From Above. The group has had eight songs that reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, led by 1979's "Babe" at No. 1.

“In my early days of live performing I had several mentors who were kind enough to let me join in and play with them despite not being able to read charts,” said Styx singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw. “Rod Henley, Ricky Parsons, Bobby and Larry Moore, Eddie Wohlford, Wimpy Jones, Country Boy Eddie and others gave me a shot. And I am thankful for that. By the time Chicago released their first album, I had enough experience to begin learning their amazing music on my own. Now, the idea of Styx touring with Chicago is a major thrill all on its own. We can’t wait to spend the summer with them!”

Both artists will offer artist pre-sales and VIP packages beginning Tuesday, December 2, at 10 am. Citi cardmembers can access a presale beginning the same day at 12 pm. After some additional presales, the general starts Friday, December 5, at 10 am at livenation.com.

The Windy Cities Tour - All The Hits…Your Kind of Tour Dates

Mon 7/13 West Palm Beach, FL iThink Financial Amphitheatre
Wed 7/15 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Fri 7/17 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sat 7/18 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
Mon 7/20 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Tue 7/21 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Thu 7/23 Wantagh, NY Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Sat 7/25 Gilford, NH BankNH Pavilion
Sun 7/26 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
Tue 7/28 Toronto, ONT. RBC Amphitheatre
Thu 7/30 Grand Rapids, MI Acrisure Amphitheatre
Sat 8/1 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
Sun 8/2 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Wed 8/5 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
Thu 8/6 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Wed 8/19 Austin, TX Moody Center
Thu 8/20 The Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
Mon 8/24 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatreh
Tue 8/25 Kansas City, MO MORTON Amphitheater
Fri 8/28 Denver, CO Ball Arena
Sun 8/30 Salt Lake City, UT Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue 9/1 Phoenix, AZ Mortgage Matchup Center
Wed 9/2 Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena
Fri 9/4 Concord, CA Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sun 9/6 Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum

music live music concerts