weekend event planner

Here are the top 10 things to do in Houston this weekend

A bounce house in winter? Why not?

Photo courtesy of The Big Bounce America

This weekend is going to be a movie-rific one.

On Thursday, the Houston Cinema Arts Festival begins its four-day run, not only giving attendees an eclectic collection of programs that show off how much cinema and the arts can perfectly intertwine with each other, You'll also see several upcoming movies that'll most likely get nominated for Oscars.

But there's also the Houston Greek Film Festival, running Friday through Sunday at MATCH. And, on Saturday afternoon, author and journalist Shea Serrano finally comes back home. He'll be at Cactus Music signing copies of his latest best-seller Movies (and Other Things).

Not a movie buff? Here are some best bets we've showcased this weekend.

Thursday, November 14

Familia Lorenzo Folk Art at Consulate General de Mexico
The Lorenzo family of Guerrero, Mexico is unique among Mexican retablo-makers. Not only does the multi-generational trio of artisans — helmed by patriarch Lucas — work together, they also creative distinctive scenes which capture both timelessly beloved Mexican imagery as well as contemporary and often playful takes on traditional retablo paintings. The exhibition represents 50 years of this family art cooperative, and it will run through Friday, December 13. 6:30 pm.

Jason Eady and Courtney Patton at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church/Warren Family Center
Who would like some good ol' country music from a husband-and-wife team that isn't Tim McGraw and Faith Hill? Mississippi-bred, Fort Worth-based singer/guitarist Jason Eady has earned major acclaim for his more recent, ahead-of-the-curve take on classic country. He merges his distinct sensibilities into a stripped-down, roots-oriented sound that starkly showcases the gritty elegance of his songwriting. Eady will perform in an acoustic-duo format with his wife, singer/songwriter Courtney Patton. 7:30 pm.

Friday, November 15

The Big Bounce America at Aveva Stadium
We may be in the winter swing of things, but if you still feel like getting your bounce on, this spot will be here for you this weekend. Featuring the world’s largest bounce house (it includes a basketball court, giant slide, a massive ball pit, and a world-class DJ playing songs with nightclub quality sound and lights), The Big Bounce America tour is the largest-touring inflatable event in the entire world. It will also introduce two new attractions: a 900-foot-long obstacle course and a unique, space-themed wonderland. 1 pm (9 am Saturday and Sunday).

Sensation Play: A Fetish Art Show at Insomnia Gallery
Insomnia Gallery will present their second-annual, fetish art and photography show, as dozens of local artists will pay homage to all things kink. Due to the graphic nature of the content, they will be enforcing an adults-only restriction for the evening — so don't show up if you're not ready to check out some intense, R-rated stuff. Eureka Heights will give out the free beer, while Tacos Bomberos will be outside with the grub. 7-11 pm.

The Warriors at Landmark River Oaks
Walter Hill’s pulpy, sweltering odyssey from 1979, about a Coney Island gang spending one down-and-dirty night dodging rival crews and looking for the killers who framed them for murder, had folks shaking in their Earth shoes. Negative reviews and meager box-office receipts made the movie look more like an over-the-top curiosity than a controversial smash. Nevertheless, it went on to become a cult favorite, with its most chuckle-worthy quotes (“Can … you … dig it?”) popping up in Puff Daddy songs and Shaquille O’Neal interviews. 11:59 pm.

Saturday, November 16

2nd Annual Hangar Bash at Lone Star Flight Museum
Lone Star Flight Museum is throwing a celebration of all things aviation — and, of course, this celebration will be held in a hangar. Guests will be treated to world-class championship BBQ, a variety of craft beers from Houston’s best breweries, live music from Molly & the Ringwalds, tours of the museum’s historic aircraft collection, raffles to win warbird rides, and first-class roundtrip tickets on United Airlines. Look for a photo booth, giant Jenga and Connect Four games, flight simulators, exhibits, and more. 2-6 pm.

“Alexandra Nechita: Reimagined” at Off the Wall Gallery
Ever since she was little, Romanian-born Alexandra Nechita has been a major artistic force. (She had her first solo exhibition at a local Los Angeles library at eight years old.) These days, her work has been displayed internationally, while celebs like Oprah Winfrey and Alec Baldwin are Nechita collectors. This new body of work represents the years and growth between her time as a celebrated prodigy and the now-mature artist who sees the world through a different lens. Runs through Sunday, November 24. 6 pm.

Joe Rogan at Toyota Center
We're pretty sure Joe Rogan can start a revolution — and that kinda worries us a little. It's not Rogan's fault. For more than 20 years, the comic (and UFC commentator) has been an acerbic-yet-cerebral madman of the people, something he's turned into a brand over on his popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast. And, yet, his fanbase, which also consists of alt-right loons, toxic incels, and other forms of awful men, is considered one of the worst on the Interwebs. No doubt they'll all be there to see him perform this weekend. 8 pm.

Sunday, November 17

Burton & Booooze at Karbach Brewing Co.
Diehard Tim Burton fans may want to check out this Burton-heavy event, going down at the Karbach Biergarten. There will be local vendors and artists, as well as prizes for the best Burton-inspired costumes (if anyone shows up as a Mars Attacks! character, that person should automatically win everything) and special-edition Burton glassware designed by Blue One Thirty. And stick around for a screening of his 1988 magnum opus Beetlejuice (courtesy of the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow) at 6 pm. Noon.

MOM FEST at DARBLY
Local soul singer Lilly Aviana is throwing a benefit show for her mother, Sonya. It seems Moms has recently incurred medical expenses for health complications and upcoming diagnostic testing that will require surgery and treatment. So, join Aviana and other artists (including Indigo Young, Dende, Uncle Tino and Doeman Dyna) for a night of good music, good food (provided by Aviana's grandmother) and all of the proceeds will go to the medical bills of the ultimate party animal: Aviana's mom. 3:30-10 pm.

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Movie Review

Over-the-top acting and incoherent plot drag down Her Private Hell

Photo courtesy of Neon

Sophie Thatcher in Her Private Hell.

Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn is not someone who plays nice with the general film world. His 2011 film Drive introduced him to American audiences in a big way, but that pulsating thriller was followed up with artier films like Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon that eschewed coherent plots in favor of moody, atmospheric pieces.

Winding Refn, who hasn’t made a feature film in 10 years, has gone fully down the rabbit hole with Her Private Hell. Taking place in a liminal space that kind of resembles Earth but also feels like someone’s dreams/nightmares, the film focuses on Elle (Sophie Thatcher), an actor currently starring in a sci-fi film. Staying at a hotel with newcomer Hunter (Kristine Froseth), the two bond over their shared passion and the legend of Elle’s father, Johnny Thunders (Dougray Scott), who’s now married to Elle’s friend Dominique (Havana Rose Liu).

After spending a good amount of (mostly incomprehensible) time with that group, Refn introduces Private K (Charles Melton), who seems to be living in post-World War II Japan. He is looking for his daughter, who might have been taken by a mysterious figure known as “Leatherman,” and he will stop at nothing to find her, fighting whoever stands in his way.

It becomes clear almost right away that Winding Refn has no desire to engage in traditional storytelling in this film. The main characters wander through neon-drenched streets and buildings, which are often surrounded by a mist that is referred to on multiple occasions but never explained. Everyone speaks as if in a constant state of wonderment, and there are many moments where it’s unclear if events are actually happening, part of a movie-within-a-movie, or something else entirely.

Unlike his previous films, Winding Refn has taken the characters in this film completely out of the real world, with every scene taking place in a sparsely decorated room or street that is obviously a movie set. While there are moments where this decision really works, especially the striking first shot of a human-like figure mixed in with a cityscape and clouds, most of the time it only adds to the stilted nature of the film as a whole.

In fact, the entire movie has the feel of an avant-garde theater exercise. Every actor seems to be trying to outdo the others with awkward performances and out-sized reactions. Two very specific characters make appearances in both sides of the story for seemingly no reason other than to inject their weirdness into both spaces. The shocking violence that crops up on occasion would have more of an impact if it was related to anything intelligible.

Thatcher (Companion) and Liu (Tuner) are among the young stars who have had breakout moments in recent years, but neither of them is served well by this hot mess of a movie. They, along with Melton, still demonstrate the talent they possess, but the oddity of the film weighs them down. Scott makes an impression for all the wrong reasons, while Froseth is called upon to play a character who might as well not be there at all.

If there’s any kind of message that Winding Refn was trying to convey with Her Private Hell, it’s lost among the flashing lights, overload of pink, and jewel-like structures. Filmmakers who try to make art for art’s sake have a place in the world, but this film too often feels like people are making things up as they go, with no real goal in mind.

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Her Private Hell opens in theaters on July 24.

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