Movie Review Time

Star-studded cast and Oscar-winning director power dramatic A House of Dynamite

Rebecca Ferguson in A House of Dynamite.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Director Kathryn Bigelow has had two distinct phases to her feature film career. From the early ‘80s to the early 2000s, she made movies for the masses like Near Dark, Point Break, and K-19: The Widowmaker. But that all changed with the 2008 release of the Iraq War film The Hurt Locker, for which she won the Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture. Every movie of hers since then has leaned hard into real-world drama, including the new A House of Dynamite.

Instead of trying to understand past events, this film imagines a scenario that is still frighteningly real: Nuclear war. As the story begins, it’s discovered that a missile has been fired in the direction of the United States from close to the east coast of Asia where China, Russia, and North Korea connect. The unattributed weapon is at first thought to be a test, but when it continues on a path toward the U.S., people at all different levels of the U.S. government try to figure out how to stop it and what to do if they can’t.

The same story is essentially told three different times, changing the perspective to different officials in multiple locations around the country. They include people at an Army missile defense base in Alaska, led by Major Daniel Gonzalez (Anthony Ramos); the White House Situation Room, led by Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson); a top brass video call featuring General Anthony Brady (Tracy Letts) and Secretary of Defense Reid Baker (Jared Harris); and, naturally, the President of the United States (Idris Elba).

Directed by Bigelow and written by Noah Oppenheim, the film is an extremely tense experience as it juggles the personal and professional lives of many different people. The sense of duty that each one of them feels in serving their country slowly turns inward as they understand that a major American city could be wiped off the map, an event that would almost certainly trigger World War III.

Bigelow and Oppenheim do a fantastic job of serving the bigger stars in the cast, as well as the supporting actors who may not be as well known. A normal film would be able to take more time to establish the various characters, but the intensity of the plot lends extra meaning to every moment, allowing the audience to connect with everyone more quickly. It’s not at all difficult to put yourself in the shoes of those in the film who desperately try to get in touch with loved ones as the threat becomes larger.

Telling the story three times from different perspectives not only allows the audience to understand who all is involved in such a world-changing event, but it also shines a light on the strengths and weaknesses of each department. How accurate the film is to what would happen in real life is debatable, but the film gives off an air of legitimacy in how it depicts the actions of the various players.

Given the structure of the film, there’s no one star, but each of the main actors does a fine job in bringing their characters to life. Ferguson, Letts, Harris, and Elba are the most compelling in their roles, but other people like Jason Clarke, Greta Lee, Malachi Beasley, and Jonah Hauer-King do a lot with their limited time on screen. The cast is so packed that someone like Kaitlyn Dever is given only one small, albeit impactful, scene.

The ending of the film is likely to be divisive, but it only serves to underscore the idea that no one can truly know how to handle an existential threat like nuclear war. The military and the government can simulate and prepare all they want, but it’s only when things go to hell that anyone can tell if they’re able to meet the moment.

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A House of Dynamite is now playing in select theaters. It debuts on Netflix on October 24.

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weekend event planner

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

Photo courtesy of Pentatonix

Pentatonix performs at American Airlines Center on November 20.

We’re officially in the home stretch, and Christmas is just around the corner.

Before that, this weekend offers plenty of holiday-themed events, including an ugly sweater party/toy drive and a yuletide visit from Pentatonix. But some fascinating visual art is also popping off this weekend, from an intriguing art exhibition to several movie screenings, including the latest from hometown boy Richard Linklater.

Or, you could pick up some booze over at O.S.T. Liquor, get lit, and sing “Luv Ya Blue” over and over again – just a suggestion.

Thursday, December 18

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Music at the Museum
Music at the Museum is back, as CAMH wraps up the year with an evening of live music, an art workshop, and contemporary art. Jupiter will be spinning house, ambient, club tracks, and more. And you can participate in the cyanotype workshop downstairs. Join CAMH FAQ team member and artist Carlos Mendoza in this hands-on activity that bridges car cultures from the West Coast to H-Town. 6 pm.

Sabine Street Studios presents "Zuzu's Petals" opening reception
Sabine Street Studios’ end-of-the-year exhibition, “Zuzu’s Petals,” takes inspiration from the beloved 1946 classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life. The group exhibition of mixed media works offers an opportunity for reflection on the year that has passed, the promise of the new year ahead, and the meaningful memories that weave through our lives. The reception will include complimentary beverages and snacks, as well as brief artist talks where each creator will share insights into their work and its significance within the exhibition. 6 pm.

Aurora Picture Show presents Aurora Holiday Party & Raffle
Join Aurora Picture Show’s famously festive, annual holiday party – the first one held in the new Navigation Blvd. space. This free event features beverages provided by Double Trouble and Saint Arnold, light bites from Phoenicia, vintage holiday TV projections, and music provided by DJs Gracie Chavez, Marcelluz Gualez, Alex la Rotta, and Peter Lucas. The raffle, benefitting Aurora’s artistic and educational programming, is open until 9 pm and features an array of great items, experiences, and gift cards. 7 pm.

Friday, December 19

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s love letter to the revolutionary magic of the French New Wave, reimagines the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (1960). As a Cahiers du Cinema critic, Godard (Guillaume Marbeck) turns to filmmaking with a mix of fresh faces and daring talents that bring his spontaneous, idiosyncratic film to life. Capturing the behind-the-scenes creative chaos at the heart of one of cinema’s most iconic and influential debuts, catch this movie at the MFAH this weekend – in glorious 35mm! 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Rice Cinema presents The Projectionists’ Reel
Rice Cinema will have a special screening featuring work by Tish Stringer, a Rice alum and former technical exhibition manager at Rice Cinema. In The Projectionists’ Reel, Kirston Otis spins the tale of how crafty projectionists of the Greenway Theater cannibalized cinematic ephemera into remix joy. Preceded by a bonus screening of We’re Not Judges, a short film by Renée Feltz, a former KPFT News Director, and currently at Democracy Now! The filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Elf in Concert
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father (James Caan). After DNA test confirmation, Buddy and his dad build a relationship with chaotic (and comedic) moments. The heartwarming tale of Buddy the Elf will play on the big screen, while every note of John Debney’s score is played live to picture. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday)

Vincent Victoria Presents The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: A Musical
Vincent Victoria Presents delivers the world premiere of a new stage production, The 1968 Cherry Cola Pitts Christmas Special: Christmas Will Never be the Same. The production, a sharp, irreverent, joyously queer holiday biting satire set in the explosive year of 1968, stars Cherry Cola Pitts, an openly gay entertainer navigating fame, freedom, and chaos under the studio lights. 8 pm (3 and 8 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Saturday, December 20

O.S.T. Liquor Store presents the Annual Holiday Bourbon Allocation
O.S.T. Liquor Store will launch one of its largest and most anticipated bourbon allocation releases, offering more than 200 rare and highly coveted bottles to collectors and holiday shoppers. The event is known for drawing enthusiasts from across the Houston area who are seeking hard-to-find bourbons, whiskeys, and limited-edition spirits to raise the bar on gifting and entertaining this holiday season. Get there early. 10 am.

BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River
Step into a festive celebration of Black-owned businesses at the BLCK Market Holiday Festival at East River. Attendees will enjoy holiday shopping at its finest as East River transforms into a bustling winter market filled with music, merriment, and unique finds. Browse curated gifts (seasonal décor, art, skincare, books, and candles), dance to the beats of live DJs, and get grub at food trucks – all while being surrounded by the joyful energy of community. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be available for photos from 12-2 pm. 11 am.

Pentatonix in concert
In 2011, a cappella group Pentatonix became the first act to top both the Holiday Albums and Holiday Songs charts simultaneously. Since then, Christmas has become their business, dropping such seasonal releases as 2014’s That’s Christmas to Me and 2016’s A Pentatonix Christmas. They’ll be Houston as part of their Christmas in the City tour, performing favorite songs from their seven holiday-themed albums, including the new Christmas in the City. 7 pm.

Winsome Prime presents Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive
The Southern-inspired steakhouse is kicking off the holiday week with its annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party & Toy Drive. Attendees are asked to bring a new toy to benefit the Isiah Factor Christmas Toy Drive, as well as dress in their most outrageous, over-the-top holiday sweaters for an ugly sweater contest, with special perks, giveaways, and photo moments throughout the event. 7 pm.

Sunday, December 21

Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents Holiday on the Harbor
Join Lake Houston mixed-use development Kings Harbor Waterfront Village as it celebrates the holiday season with Holiday on the Harbor. Attendees can enjoy a free photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, music from a DJ, face painting, an on-site caricature artist, and riding on the trackless train. Families can also play yard games and create holiday crafts, making it a day full of holiday cheer for kids and adults alike. 1 pm.

Houston Cinema Arts Society and Houston Film Commission presents Luv Ya Bum!
Luv Ya Bum! is more than a sports documentary – it’s a testament to the power of leadership, community, and the enduring impact of legendary Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips. River Oaks Theatre will have a screening, presented by Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) and Houston Film Commission, complete with a post-screening conversation with the producers. A special exhibition will be on display, courtesy of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, featuring a remarkable collection of personal effects and historical artifacts. 2 pm.

The Houston Tidelanders present Yule-Tide Carols
The Houston Tidelanders will ring in the holiday season with their show, Yule-Tide Carols. The tradition brings Christmas to life through the four-part harmonies of barbershop a cappella singing. The Tidelanders will perform a mix of classic Christmas favorites and fresh new arrangements, from the peaceful beauty of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” to the inspiring message of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 4:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Pentatonix

Pentatonix performs at Toyota Center on December 20.

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