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    war games, part ii

    U.S.-Russia tensions blast off to new heights in spacey thriller I.S.S.

    Alex Bentley
    Jan 19, 2024 | 11:45 am

    For years during the Cold War, Russia/the U.S.S.R. was the go-to enemy for American-made movies. Villains have diversified – for better and for worse – in movies in the 30+ years since the break-up of the Soviet Union, but Russia has still maintained its bad reputation, especially in recent years thanks to dictatorial leaders and unprovoked wars on neighbors.

    The new film I.S.S. attempts to bring back that rivalry in a story that’s small in scale but large in scope. As it begins, Dr. Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose) and Christian Campbell (John Gallagher, Jr.) are just about to arrive to the International Space Station via the Russian spaceship Soyuz. They are greeted by fellow American astronaut Gordon Barrett (Chris Messina) and three Russian cosmonauts – Weronika Vetrov (Masha Mashkova), Nicholai Pulov (Costa Ronin), and Alexey Pulov (Pilou Asbæk).

    The first couple of days are uneventful as the crew gets to know each other and admires the view of Earth below. But that changes when Foster notices multiple huge explosions across the United States. Barrett and Pulov both soon receive cryptic messages from their respective governments that tell them that the world is at war and they are to secure control of the I.S.S. – by any means necessary.

    Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and written by Nick Shafir, the film is one of those that has the potential to be a gripping thriller if done right. But the filmmakers are hampered by a variety of things, starting with their own storytelling. While they do a decent job establishing the basic personalities of each of the crewmembers, a little more time seeing what makes each of them tick might have been warranted.

    It is an intriguing idea of what scientists, cooped up in the relatively small confines of the I.S.S., would do when asked to commit unthinkable acts, but the execution of it leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the time, the action seems to be moving in slow motion, and not just because of the zero gravity. You could call it tension-building except that they telegraph several of the big moments, most notably an attack during a spacewalk.

    There’s also no getting around the fact that the special effects in the film are subpar, especially during that spacewalk when close-ups are used liberally. Effectively showing people moving around in zero gravity is tough, and the filmmakers probably should have scaled back their ambitions to make the film more believable as a whole.

    It’s hard to fault DeBose, who won an Oscar in 2022 for West Side Story, for trying to cash in on her newfound fame, but this role doesn’t seem to fit her well. Gallagher and Messina feel similarly out of place, unable to find the right tone in their big scenes. The actors playing Russians are all fine, but since this is a film that leans toward the Americans as heroes, their performances don’t have much nuance.

    Even though I.S.S. takes some unexpected twists and turns, there’s nothing that truly makes it compelling. A film like this requires an expert level in creating suspense, but the filmmakers miss the mark at several key moments, wasting a premise that might have been a winner.

    ---

    I.S.S. opens in theaters on January 19.

    Ariana DeBose in I.S.S.

    Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street

    Ariana DeBose in I.S.S.

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    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jun 24, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Hilary Duff
    Photo by Aaron Idelson
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    This weekend has several heavy hitters doing live concerts, including rap boss Rick Ross, soul songstress Alex Isley and, Lizzie McGuire herself, Hilary Duff.

    However, Houstonians looking for less musical options, this weekend offers some great choices: several movie-related happenings, a wine-filled anniversary party, an Art Car showcase, the opening of a very patriotic art show, and even a Puppy Cup!

    So, go out there and, as a deep-voiced white man once said, take it to the streets!

    Thursday, June 25

    Nan & Company Properties and Chapman & Kirby present Puppy Cup
    Houston real estate brokerage Nan & Company Properties is partnering with Chapman & Kirby to host the inaugural Puppy Cup. The free public event will feature a live puppy soccer match, a FIFA World Cup watch party, live music, and charitable fundraising, creating a one-of-a-kind summer celebration benefiting Houston-based animal welfare nonprofit PetSet. Attendees can also enjoy Chapman & Kirby's specialty event cocktail, the Million Dollar Margarita ($14), and 20 percent of each cocktail sold during the event will be donated to PetSet. 6 pm.

    Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves
    Elmo’s Got the Moves, an all-new Sesame Street Live production, is a joyful and engaging show that invites children and their families to sing, dance, and move along with their favorite friends from Sesame Street in a heartwarming, interactive celebration unlike anything they’ve seen before. The show features Elmo and his friends as they move and groove to fan-favorite songs, including "Sunny Days," "Elmo’s Got the Moves," and "Letter of the Day." 6 pm.

    IPSY and Rooftop Cinema Club Houston present Some Like It Hot
    Join Rooftop Cinema Club Houston and beauty subscription IPSY under the stars for an evening of old Hollywood glamour. Come celebrate 100 years of Marilyn Monroe, the original blonde bombshell, by watching the classic comedy Some Like it Hot, where she gets into screwball shenanigans with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, all dolled up in drag as on-the-run musicians. Upon entry, each guest will receive our exclusive IPSY x MM 100 Glam Bag full of must-have beauty goodies. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, June 26

    The T.R.U.T.H. Project Inc. and Black Alphabet NFP present 2nd Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival
    The 2nd Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival Houston is a two-night celebration of Black LGBTQ+ film, culture, and community, going down at The DeLUXE Theater in the Fifth Ward. Born from a shared commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices through art and advocacy, the festival brings together filmmakers, community members, and culture-makers for two evenings of curated screenings, talkbacks, and community-centered programming exploring wellness, identity, and the liberating power of storytelling. 6 pm (10 am Saturday).

    Houston Symphony presents Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert
    Between crushing on Cho Chang, studying for his O.W.L.s, and the ever-growing number of detentions from Professor Umbridge, Harry Potter (future Tracy Morgan scene-partner Daniel Radcliffe) must find the time to discover the secret of his terrible nightmares. All of this happens in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, which will be presented in HD on a giant screen and accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    The Players Theatre Company presents 1776
    It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence ... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it. 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

    Steve Ray Ladson and Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms in concert
    America's Got Talent finalist Steve Ray Ladson has partnered with folk-soul duo Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms (formerly Native Harrow) to perform three co-bill concerts in Texas, including a show at The Continental Club in Midtown. Tuel and Harms have been touring through the Lone Star State – bringing "twilight twang and vintage vibes” – for a decade. As for Ladson, he’ll be bringing his "Blackgrass BrotherCana" sound and full band to The Continental Club. 9 pm.

    Saturday, June 27

    HMAAC Cinema Cafe presents Paris Is Burning
    For Pride Month and Black Music Month, the Houston Museum of African American Culture has a special screening lined up. Jennie Livingston’s landmark 1991 documentary Paris Is Burning provides a vibrant snapshot of the ‘80s, through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, the film offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Noon.

    Mid Main Houston presents Summer Series 2026: Art Car Showcase & Midtown Cultural Arts Mixer
    Mid Main Houston’s Summer Series wraps with a celebration of Houston’s iconic Art Car culture along Winbern Street, in partnership with the Midtown Cultural Arts Mixer. Explore Moon Papas Art curated and a striking film installation by Camilo Gonzalez at the Mid Main Art Gallery and Windows on Main. Meet Art Car artists and their wildly transformed vehicles, join a recycled art workshop, and enjoy a high-energy lineup featuring live music, plus entertainment throughout the night. Don’t miss a chance to meet Midtown’s first-ever Artist in Residence, DUAL. 3 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Little Sister
    Winner of the Queer Palm at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Hafsia Herzi’s coming-of-age drama follows Fatima (Nadia Melliti), the youngest of three daughters in a traditional Algerian family, as she moves from high school to college in Paris. Exploring a whole new world, she grapples with how to balance her attraction to women with respect for her caring Muslim family. She also confronts a timeless and heartrending dilemma: How can one stay true to oneself when reconciling different parts of one’s identity feels impossible? 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Voices of Arts Central presents Forever Nebrada
    Voices of Arts Central, in partnership with the Nebrada Foundation, will present a one-night-only performance of Forever Nebrada, a tribute to the enduring spirit of Vicente Nebrada, a visionary choreographer whose work reshaped the identity of Venezuelan and Latin American ballet. More than a remembrance, the performance affirms that Nebrada’s vision continues to move, inspire, and define generations of dancers and audiences around the world. 7:30 pm.

    Sunday, June 28

    Barcelona Wine Bar presents Uncorked: Thirty
    Barcelona Wine Bar is turning 30 this year, and they’re marking the occasion with something a little special. Uncorked: Thirty is a walk-around tasting built around 30 bottles pulled from the wine list, alongside chef pairings and passed bites. It's described as less of a tasting event and more of a fun celebration of the wines, the producers, and the relationships that helped shape the restaurant over three decades. Noon and 1 pm.

    Hilary Duff
    Photo by Aaron Idelson

    Hilary Duff performs in The Woodlands this weekend.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "America 250: 1776-2026" opening day
    As America will soon reach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, art offers meaningful perspectives into moments in time. With "America 250," the MFAH highlights American artistic achievements in its permanent collection. Houstonians are invited to discover these works of art throughout galleries on the main campus and at both house museums: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and Rienzi. Through Sunday, January 3. 12:30 pm.

    The Music Box Theater presents Feelin' Groovy
    The Music Box Theater continues its tradition of singing groovy tunes in an all-new exploration of the music from the 1960s and 1970s. Songs from the era will be interspersed with comedy sketches. The Feelin’ Groovy show will feature classics originally sung by Aretha Franklin (“A Natural Woman”), Doobie Brothers (“Takin’ It to the Streets”), Eagles (“Heartache Tonight”), Diana Ross (“Touch Me in the Morning”), Sam & Dave (“Soul Man”), Glenn Campbell (“Wichita Lineman”), and more. Through Saturday, August 15. 2 pm.

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