and the winner is...

Houston Film Critics Society unveils 'favourites' for upcoming movie awards

The Favourite is a Houston critics' favorite.

Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos

It appears the film critics of Houston have a thing for movies about 18th-century English royalty being bitchy to one another.

That would explain why the period piece The Favourite, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Olivia Colman and Oscar winners Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, has a whopping seven nominations in the 12th Annual Houston Film Critics Society Movie Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

The monster Marvel hit Black Panther and If Beale Street Could Talk, the James Baldwin-adapted latest from Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, are both tied with six nominations, while the Bradley Cooper-directed remake of A Star is Born and the Dick Cheney biopic Vice each have five. All these films are nominated for best picture, along with BlacKkKlansman, Eighth Grade, First Reformed, Green Book, Hereditary, and Roma.

“Once again, the HFCS nominations tell the story of the year in film,” Joshua Starnes, president of the organization (which this writer is a member), said in a statement. “By celebrating popular blockbusters as well as acclaimed independent films, the nominations remind us why we love to go to the movies.”

The winners will be announced on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at a free "Oscar-style" ceremony (with promotional assistance from ESPN 97.5 FM and SportsMap 94.1 FM, which is owned by Gow Media, which also owns CultureMap) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, starting at 7 pm.

There will also be awards given out the Best Poster (BlacKkKlansman and Suspiria both have two nominations) as well as Worst Picture (yes, Venom is in there). A silent auction benefitting the HFCS will include movie industry collectables and will be staged at the after-party at Hotel ZaZa, located in the Houston Museum District. Tickets are required to ensure a manageable level of attendance.

Here is a full list of the nominees:

Best Picture

A Star is Born

Black Panther

BlackKklansman

Eighth Grade

If Beale Street Could Talk

The Favourite

First Reformed

Green Book

Hereditary

Roma

Vice

Best Director

Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born

Alfonso Cuaron, Roma

Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk

Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite

Adam McKay, Vice

Best Actor

Christian Bale, Vice

Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born

Ethan Hawke, First Reformed

Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody

Viggo Mortensen, Green Book

Best Actress

Glenn Close, The Wife

Toni Collette, Hereditary

Olivia Colman, The Favourite

Lady Gaga, A Star is Born

Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali, Green Book

Timothee Chalamet, Beautiful Boy

Adam Driver, BlackKklansman

Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, Vice

Claire Foy, First Man

Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk

Emma Stone, The Favourite

Rachel Weisz, The Favourite

Best Screenplay

Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade

Deborah Davis & Tony McNamara, The Favourite

Paul Schrader, First Reformed

Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk

Adam McKay, Vice

Best Cinematography

Rachel Morrison, Black Panther

Linus Sandgren, First Man

Robbie Ryan, The Favourite

James Laxton, If Beale Street Could Talk

Alfonso Cuaron, Roma

Best Animated Film

Incredibles 2

Isle of Dogs

Mirai

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Best Original Score

Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther

Justin Hurwitz, First Man

Nicholas Britell, If Beale Street Could Talk

Alexandre Desplat, Isle of Dogs

Thom Yorke, Suspiria

Best Original Song

All the Stars from Black Panther

Ashes from Deadpool 2

Hearts Beat Loudfrom Hearts Beat Loud

Revelation from Boy Erased

Shallow from A Star is Born

Best Foreign Language Film

Burning

Border

Cold War

Roma

Shoplifters

Best Documentary Feature

Free Solo

Minding the Gap

RBG

Three Identical Strangers

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Texas Independent Film Award

1985

An American in Texas

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek

Support the Girls

Tejano

Visual Effects

Black Panther

First Man

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Best Poster

BlacKkKlansman (two different posters)

Mandy

Suspiria (two different posters)

Best Worst Film of the Year

The 15:17 to Paris

The Happytime Murders

Life Itself

Peppermint

Venom

awards movies

level up downtown

Houston Astros and Mayor Sylvester Turner host fan-tastic downtown playoff rally

Houston Astros/Facebook

Astros standout shortstop Jeremy Peña will greet the crowds.

Houston Astros fans are already in the midst of playoff fever, with postseason tickets already on sale.

Finishing the season with a dominating 106-56 record (seven games ahead of the New York Yankees — but who's counting?), the team looks to the postseason with dominating pitching, slugging, and that what could be described as "this could be the year" vibe.

With that in mind, the team and the City of Houston are hosting a special pep rally dubbed Mayor’s Astros Playoff Rally on Friday, October 7 just outside City Hall at Hermann Square (901 Bagby St.).

The free event starts at 11 am, with the official rally starting at 12:30 pm. Fans can expect appearances — and hopefully, some fun smack talk (we kid). Lunch and refreshments will be available via onsite food trucks.

by Astros manager Dusty Baker (he's always great for a quote), Astros standout shortstop Jeremy Peña, outfielder Chas McCormick, general manager James Click, the always beloved mascot Orbit, the Coca-Cola Shooting Star, and of course, Mayor Sylvester Turner.

As rabid followers know, the first Astros playoff game is slated for Tuesday, October 11, with the opponent yet to be named between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Sports talking heads and serious fans are already buzzing about the new, 12-team format. Given the two teams' dominance in their respective divisions, a showdown between the 'Stros and Yankees seems likely.

Just one more reason to score those playoff tickets.

What's Eric Eating Episode 259

Bludorn's top team reveals details on their new seafood restaurant and more insider info

Navy Blue restaurant Jerrod Zifchak Aaron Bludorn Cherif Mbodji

Courtesy of Navy Blue

Jerrod Zifchak, Aaron Bludorn, and Cherif Mbodji are this week's guests.

On this week's episode of What's Eric Eating, three of the men behind Navy Blue — chef-owner Aaron Bludorn, general manager-partner Cherif Mbodji, and executive chef Jerrod Zifchak — join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss the eagerly anticipated seafood restaurant's scheduled to open in Rice Village next month.

The conversation begins with Mbodji, who is also a partner and the general manager at Bludorn, tracing the story of how a Senegalese immigrant attending college on a soccer scholarship found his calling in the restaurant business. Zifchak recounts how his childhood experiences cooking alongside his culinary school instructor father led him to the world of professional cooking.

Mbodji also reflects on life in Houston and what he remembers from opening Bludorn two years ago. "People who say this is our first time dining out in months. We'd hear that for months after we opened. This is why I feel so grateful that we're able to do what we love for a living . . . I felt that somehow we were able to help people get back to some sort of normalcy."

Moving on, Bludorn notes that the location, formerly the Politan Row food hall, and Zifchak's decision to take the job, helped steer Navy Blue towards being a seafood restaurant. The chef brings experience from Le Bernadin, the world-famous, three star Michelin seafood restaurant in New York City.

"I don't think we'd be opening a seafood restaurant if Jerrod hadn't said yes," Bludorn says. "One of the things he brushed over, fish butcher at Le Bernadin. There's one guy who does it, and he takes a one month vacation every year. Jerrod was one of very few line cooks who held down that position. You break down all of the fish for the entire restaurant."

Bludorn has earned significant local, regional, and national attention since it opened — including a James Beard semifinalist nomination for chef Bludorn. The trio have similar ambitions for Navy Blue.

"There's not a lot seafood restaurants across the country that have gained any national notoriety. People are seeing an opportunity," Bludorn says. "Joshua Skenes did Angler, Fermín Núñez just opened Este. I think, where better than Houston to be the next one of those restaurants that opens and focuses on American seafood."

Listen to the whole interview to hear Bludorn preview some of the ideas for Navy Blue's menu. Also, Mbodji shares insights into the spirit behind Bludorn's exuberant service, a style that will also be extended to Navy Blue.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Rebecca Masson discuss the news of the week. The award-winning chef-owner of Fluff Bake Bar shares her perspective on what Zifchak's experience says about Navy Blue. They also share thoughts on two other topics: what the renovations at the River Oaks location of Cafe Express indicate for the restaurant's future and Sambrooks Management hiring Top Chef alum Louis Maldonado to lead Andiron, its new live fire steakhouse.

In the restaurants of the week segment, they share thoughts on the Upside Pub. They find quite a bit to like about the casual new spot in Garden Oaks, including its nostalgic fare (patty melt, latke balls), friendly service, and well-chosen craft beer list. They conclude the segment with a brief conversation about Kate Weiser Chocolate, the Dallas-based chocolatier who just opened a pop-up shop in River Oaks District.

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Subscribe to "What's Eric Eating" on Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Listen to it Saturday at noon on ESPN 97.5.

chefs news-you-can-eat openings podcasts

be prepared to stop

Prepare for lengthy delays at Bush Intercontinental Airport with lane closures at main terminal road

George Bush Intercontinental Airport traffic detour

Photos/illustrations courtesy of Houston Airports

The red portion of this image illustrates the lanes of North Terminal Road that will be temporarily closed to vehicles approaching Terminal D beginning October 10.

Summer travel season may be over, but that hasn't slowed thousands from packing George Bush Intercontinental Airport daily for domestic and international travel. Those travelers headed to Terminal D should expect some delays next week.

With current construction of the new international terminal underway, CenterPoint Energy will begin construction starting Monday, October 10, which will force temporary lane closures along North Terminal Road, the road that leads to Terminals C, D, and E.

These new lane closures will be in place for approximately four weeks, per a Houston Airports announcement.

Not surprisingly, Houston Airports estimates traffic congestion, specifically during afternoon peak travel times between 5 pm and 8 pm. This comes after well-documented construction delays have caused hours of wait time in traffic, with some travelers and locals getting out and walking to the terminal.

Travelers and those picking up travelers are advised to prepare for the inconvenience by reserving garage parking online, waiting in cellphone lots for arriving passengers, and adding an extra hour into for peak travel times arrivals. Find a complete list of travel recommendations here.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport traffic detour Red = closed to vehicles approaching Terminal D beginning October 10.

Police officers will also be on-site as part of the CenterPoint traffic control plan, per a press release.

Houston Airports stresses in press materials that it utilized successful traffic simulations, extensive roadway modeling, and real-time testing days before the project began.

This international terminal construction, part of the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program, started in 2015 and is slated to be compelted by late 2024. Plans call for the expansion of the Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT) with a new International Central Processor.

Additionally, a new concourse and a fully renovated Terminal D will allow passengers to relax in the several lounges and enjoy new dining options. As CultureMap previously reported, improvements even include art projects to create a soothing space.

and the winner is...

Houston Film Critics Society unveils 'favourites' for upcoming movie awards

River Oaks fast casual restaurant staple upgrades with new look and fresh eats

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

level up downtown

Houston Astros and Mayor Sylvester Turner host fan-tastic downtown playoff rally

River Oaks fast casual restaurant staple upgrades with new look and fresh eats

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

What's Eric Eating Episode 259

Bludorn's top team reveals details on their new seafood restaurant and more insider info

River Oaks fast casual restaurant staple upgrades with new look and fresh eats

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

be prepared to stop

Prepare for lengthy delays at Bush Intercontinental Airport with lane closures at main terminal road

River Oaks fast casual restaurant staple upgrades with new look and fresh eats

Acclaimed Houston home design maven infuses zen with first brick-and-mortar store in Rice Village

National chicken sandwich chain flies into Houston with wood-smoked tenders, waffles, and more

and the winner is...

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level up downtown

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

What's Eric Eating Episode 259

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

be prepared to stop

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome Get Houston intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome

Get Houston intel delivered daily.