Movie Review

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck can't save odd crime film The Instigators

Casey Affleck and Matt Damon in The Instigators.

Photo courtesy of Apple TV+

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck appeared together in a series of movies early in their careers – Good Will Hunting, the Ocean’s trilogy, the little-seen Gerry – but aside from their separate appearances in the Christopher Nolan films Interstellar and Oppenheimer, they haven’t truly teamed up since 2007. They’re back with the interesting-but-odd crime film, The Instigators.

Damon plays Rory, a former Marine who’s down on his luck and in therapy with a military psychiatrist, Dr. Donna Rivera (Hong Chau). Affleck is Cobby, a ne’er-do-well with a criminal history who can’t even stay on the good side of Mr. Kelly (Andre De Shields), his neighborhood bartender. The two are pulled in by Mr. Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg) to help in what is supposed to be an easy robbery of a political fundraiser for Boston’s Mayor Micelli (Ron Perlman).

Naturally, things don’t go exactly as planned, and the two are soon on the run from not only the police, but also Frank Toomey (Ving Rhames), a feared fixer, and Besegai and his right-hand man, Richie Dechico (Alfred Molina). Despite not knowing each other very well, the unwitting duo do their best to protect each other, get away with at least some money, and possibly expose political corruption along the way.

Directed by Doug Liman and written by Affleck and Chuck Maclean, the film epitomizes the philosophy of throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks. There is very little attempt to establish Rory or Cobby as three-dimensional characters, giving them each some bare minimum traits without going into depth on any of them. The crime they’re asked to commit also doesn’t make much sense, and even the characters call out the flaws in the plan before they start.

Throughout it all, the filmmakers can’t seem to decide what kind of movie they want to make. Despite some humorous banter and situations, it’s not a comedy, and even though there is some gunplay and car chases, it’s also not an action thriller. It winds up being a weird mish-mash between the two that’s solely buoyed by the performances of Damon and Affleck, who sell everything they’re asked to do, even if it’s nonsensical.

Even more odd is the wealth of good actors in the film that don’t have good parts. Stuhlbarg, Molina, Chau, Perlman, De Shields, Toby Jones, and Paul Walter Hauser all lend their abilities to roles that don’t measure up to their skills, almost like they were cast first and told who they’d be playing later. That also seems to fit the title, which has no meaning other than being part of the first line of Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air,” which is played at the end of the movie seemingly only to make sure the title has some connection to the film.

With both Damon and Affleck heavily involved behind-the-scenes – Damon as producer, Affleck as co-writer – there seems to have been a disconnect between the performances they put on and the result of the film. The two are engaging, both individually and as a team, but the film they put together around themselves doesn’t match what they’re doing on screen. Each has shown themselves capable of making coherent films before, so it’s hard to know what went wrong here.

The Instigators has the hallmarks of a film that should not only work, but also be a hit. But it somehow manages to waste more talent than most films dare to dream of, delivering a story that meanders around Boston while staying stuck in first gear the entire time.

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The Instigators is playing in select theaters and streaming on Apple TV+.

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This weekend is definitely going to be a Wicked one.

The long-awaited movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical will be playing in theaters all over the place, and there will be some Wicked-themed events popping off this weekend. But we shouldn’t forget about live music from Lisa Morales and Christopher Seymore & The Western Cosplay, film screenings of a Pedro Almodovar classic and an animated manga adaptation from Japan, a couple of shucking-related events, and, last but not least, TURTLE-RACING!

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, November 21

Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society presents Shuck Cancer Houston
The Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society will present the annual Shuck Cancer Houston. The evening will feature wine and oyster pairings and non-oyster cuisine from top local seafood eateries, live music, a silent auction, and more. The American Cancer Society will also recognize top achievements from the Shuck Cancer Pearl Honorees and community partners. 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Shucked
Speaking of shucking, if you’re a musical lover who’ll definitely see Wicked this weekend, you may also want to catch this show before it becomes a feature film. Shucked is a Tony-winning musical comedy featuring a book by Tony winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy-winning songwriting team of country stars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 & 7 pm Sunday).

Little Woodrow’s Midtown presents Thursday Night Turtle Racing
This weekend, Little Woodrow’s Midtown closes out its turtle racing season. The Turtle Master orchestrates this unique spectacle, where ten, red-eared slider turtles with outsized personalities compete for glory in four sets of exciting races. Every guest at Little Woodrow’s Midtown has the opportunity to select a card with who they believe is the winning turtle. Anyone holding the winning turtle’s card receives a complimentary drink from the night’s sponsor. 8 pm.

Friday, November 22

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular
Artechouse presents the first-ever, immersive Houston Holiday Spectacular, an experience that brings the wonder of the season to life through art, technology, and interactive design. The event invites Houstonians to unwind and reconnect with the joy of the holidays through a captivating blend of digital art, sound, and interactivity. The limited-run exhibit reimagines popular holiday and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) themes through digital landscapes. Through Sunday, January 5. 10 am.

Ebubay presents "Future Forward Africa"
Over at Hooks-Epstein Galleries, Ebubay will present "Future Forward Africa," an evening where modern and contemporary African art will be for sale. The exclusive one-day event offers collectors and art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire investment-worthy pieces by some of Africa’s most renowned artists. The sale will feature works from celebrated African talents such as Sam Ebohon, George Edozie, and Duke Asidere. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Pedro Almodovar’s All About My Mother tells the story of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), who copes with a tragic loss that leads her back to a home she left. She meets Rosa (Penélope Cruz), a pregnant nun, and ends up working for Huma, the actress Manuela’s son admired while touring A Streetcar Named Desire — the show that led to the tragedy with which Manuela is reconciling. MFAH audio-visual technician Rob Arcos will introduce the film. 7 pm.

Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour
Comedian Lewis Black presents his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour. After over 35 years as a touring stand-up comedian, Black is parking his tour bus for good, marking the end of his world touring career. Black will write the next chapter of his career by going back to his roots and focusing on writing a new play, penning a new book, and expanding his podcast, RantCast, to include live recordings. But let’s hope he tells his famous bit about finding “the end of the universe” in Houston one last time. 8 pm.

Saturday, November 23

Comic Indie Con
Comic Indie Con is a celebration of independent media culture, exploring the world of indie comics, board games, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of comics and discover unique stories that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Throughout the day, there will be panel discussions featuring industry professionals, artists, and writers, who will share their insights and experiences. Visitors are encouraged to showcase their creativity by dressing up as their favorite indie comic book character. 10 am.

The Union Kitchen presents Wicked Brunch and Cocktails
All five of The Union Kitchen’s Houston-area locations will celebrate the release of Wicked with a two-day, Wicked-themed brunch. This spellbinding-themed brunch will thrill fans of the iconic musical finally coming to the big screen. Step into a world inspired by the Land of Oz, where guests will enjoy a delicious brunch amidst enchanting decor that echoes Glinda and Elphaba's magical friendship and rivalry. This brunch is perfect for fans ready to embrace their inner Good Witch — or Wicked side. 10 am.

Cactus Music presents Lisa Morales
Yes, Cactus Music will be getting into the Wicked spirit with a soundtrack listening party on Sunday. But the store will also welcome Lisa Morales to its live stage. Marrying different genres — Mexican and American, traditional and contemporary — has of course long been part of her wheelhouse, especially in Sisters Morales. But, as a solo artist, her vibrant melange of musical flavors and different languages is artful enough to distinguish Morales’ embrace of “Spanglish” not just as part of the mix, but as practically a genre unto itself. 1 pm.

Christopher Seymore and The Western Cosplay in concert
Christopher Seymore and his band, The Western Cosplay, will host a concert and record a live album at the Continental Club in Midtown. The show will be captured in a full documentary-style concert video as the band launches their album fundraiser. The evening will feature album pre-orders, exclusive merchandise, live shirt printing, and a custom bandana station. Johnny Falstaff & The Starlight Lounge will be the opening act. After the concert, there will be an afterparty at Two Headed Dog. 8 pm.

Sunday, November 24

Mutiny Wine Room presents Paella Sunday
Just in time for the holidays, head over to Mutiny Wine Room for a cozy culinary experience. Watch chef Eduardo Alcayaga cook his famous seasonal paella over a live fire on the patio while sharing his expert tips. Diners can enjoy wine and appetizers by the outdoor heaters before sitting down to savor the freshly prepared paella. A serving of paella will be $38, while a Spanish wine pairing will be $15 by the glass and $56 by the bottle. This event will also happen on Sunday, December 29. Seatings at 1, 4, and 6:30 pm.

Asia Society Texas Center presents Children of the Sea
Dive into mysterious waters with Children of the Sea, an anime film based on a critically acclaimed manga by Daisuke Igarashi. The latest feature from Japan's Studio 4°C and is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a score by award-winning composer and longtime Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi. This film screening is presented as part of the Japan Foundation New York's nationwide tour. 2 pm.

MagicSpace Entertainment presents A Magical Cirque Christmas
Currently on a 35-city tour, the world-acclaimed entertainers of A Magical Cirque Christmas will showcase a winter wonderland journey, immersing the audience in the spirit of the season and dazzling with their talents. The cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists will pull off some jaw-dropping stunts, pushing the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits. 7:30 pm.

$ARTECHOUSE\u2019S Holiday Spectacular$

Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular.

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Movie Review

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck can't save odd crime film The Instigators

weekend event planner

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

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