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

Daniel Craig shines in Queer, an unapologetic tale of love and loss

Photo courtesy of A24

Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig in Queer.

As recently as the late 2010s, if a movie was made about an LGBTQ+ character, it was more than likely about their coming out experience. Romance, if it existed, was typically chaste, and actual sex was almost completely out of the question. Things have changed dramatically in the 2020s, to the point that a major movie star has no issue starring in a film called Queer.

Based on the 1985 novella by William S. Burroughs, the film features William Lee (Daniel Craig), whom everyone calls just Lee, a writer living in 1950s-era Mexico City who spends most of his time haunting local bars with friends like fellow writer Joe Guidry (Jason Schwartzman) and hitting on younger men. His early interactions in the film seem to indicate that Lee has a bad reputation within the local gay community, as multiple people avoid him or give him odd looks.

Lee senses an opportunity when he encounters a newcomer, Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey). Despite some awkward interactions, the two of them start spending time together, although Lee has much more invested in the relationship than Eugene does. Their hit-and-miss bond continues until Lee, who’s starting to get into drugs in addition to the booze, convinces Eugene to accompany him on a trip to South America.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes (making their second straight film together after Challengers), early on the film seems to be mostly about the divide between an older person who’s grown comfortable in his ways and a younger person who’s living a relatively carefree life. The introduction of drugs into the plot changes things, though, with Lee searching out more ways to open his eyes to what the world has to offer.

Guadagnino and his team use some interesting visual storytelling techniques to introduce ideas that may not be present in the actual script. The most successful, demonstrated in multiple scenes, is the superimposition of movements by Lee over what’s actually taking place in the scene. The subtle overlay gives the audience insight into Lee’s true feelings, showing what he can’t or won’t say out loud.

Music also plays a big part in how the plot is perceived, with the use of anachronistic songs from Nirvana and Prince serving to heighten certain moments. The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is not as in-your-face as the one they did for Challengers, but it complements the film well, especially when the plot starts to get trippy in its final half hour.

Craig, who appears sweaty and disheveled for much of the film, is about as far from the suaveness of James Bond as you can get in this role. He takes multiple risks with his performance and almost all of them pay off. Starkey’s character is subdued by comparison, but still comes off well. Schwartzman and Lesley Manville are given showy roles, with both using altered appearances that make them nearly unrecognizable to deliver memorable performances.

Queer is not as accessible as Challengers was storytelling-wise, but the fact that it tells a story about gay men living their lives as they see fit with no interference or questions shows how far the film world has come in a short period of time. It also continues Guadagnino’s streak of making audacious films in a way that few other filmmakers are willing or able to approach.

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Queer is now playing in theaters.

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