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.

movies film

weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo by Larry Niehues

The Black Keys are coming to H-Town.

National Tequila Day is on Friday, and many spots in Houston will be pouring agave spirits all day long.

Pinkerton's Barbecue, Mambo Seafood, Long Weekend, The Original Ninfa’s, Winsome Prime, and Bar Buena (which is also celebrating its first anniversary this weekend) are just a few of the restaurants that will have delicious specials for everybody on this day.

Let's not forget about the other events happening this weekend: drag bingo, a sake festival, a Black dance fest, some live performances, etc. As always, here are some things to check out and enjoy during these strange times.

Thursday, July 23

The Waxaholics present Vinyl Dining: A Tribute to D’Angelo
Houston chef Ashley Gadson and DJ Big Reeks are joining forces for an immersive evening that pairs the depth of Southern cuisine with the sounds of the late D'Angelo's 2000 R&B masterpiece Voodoo. The evening includes four courses, a complete vinyl listening session on audiophile equipment, and champagne pairings by Cornelius Anthony Jr. Be prepared to mix and mingle in different rooms while enjoying the fusion of cultures, flavors, and art forms. Limited early bird tickets are available. 6 pm.

Shabach Enterprise presents Challenging Brown
Challenging Brown is a powerful story of perseverance, education, and the cost of breaking barriers in a divided America. Set in 1967 Texas, the play follows Gordon Brown as he becomes the first Black teacher at an all-white high school, stepping into a world shaped by open hostility, quiet resistance, and the daily pressure of proving he belongs. This presentation is the third installment of the Shabach Enterprise Vanguard Series, which spotlights compelling new work and bold contemporary voices. Through Sunday, August 2. 7:30 pm (3 pm Sunday).

Hotel Daphne presents Drag Bingo
Head over to Hotel Daphne’s Bar Daphne for Drag Bingo, where high-energy entertainment meets dazzling drag. Queen Persephone will be calling the numbers, serving looks, and bringing the party with her signature charisma, humor, and sparkle. Expect exciting prizes, themed rounds, and plenty of surprises along the way. Whether people are coming for the bingo, the drinks, or the vibes, this is a chance to celebrate community, inclusivity, and pure joy. Come for the game; stay for the Queen. 8 pm.

Friday, July 24

The Black Keys in concert
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, better known as Ohio blues-rock gods The Black Keys, will be in town this weekend. They’ll most likely play tunes from their two recent releases – last year’s No Rain, No Flowers and the recently-dropped covers album Peaches!, which includes songs originally done by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Dr. Feelgood, and R.L. Burnside. Hey, as long as they perform some tunes from their Danger Mouse-produced era, we’ll be as happy as campers in an El Camino. 6 pm.

Houston Public Library presents Author Talk with Mychal Threets
Over at Houston Public Library’s Julia Idelson Library, author and Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets will be discussing his debut picture book I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, followed by a book signing. Threets is a librarian, literary ambassador, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He is also a recipient of the 2023 “I Love My Librarian” award from the American Library Association and one of TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders. The event will be livestreamed on HPL's Facebook page. 6 pm.

Alley Theatre presents The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train is a modern psychological thriller, adapted from Paula Hawkins’s best-selling novel (and the film adaptation starring Emily Blunt), that follows Rachel, a woman struggling with dependency. She must piece together her fragmented memories to find a girl who’s gone missing. As her night comes back to her, she considers: who can you trust when you can’t trust yourself? Through Sunday, August 30. 8 pm (2 & 7 pm Sunday).

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band in concert
Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band comes to Houston for the Keep The Party Going Tour. The Coral Reefer Band began their journey with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (and resort entrepreneur) Buffett in 1973. While members have changed over the years, most of the band have performed with the tropical rocker for over 30 years. Together, they will celebrate the songs and community that defined a generation of fans. 8 pm.

Saturday, July 25

The DeLUXE Theater presents Forever Con
Forever Con is all about good vibes, cool cosplays, and nonstop fun. This family-friendly event features a double film screening (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at noon, Blade 2 at 7 pm), vendors, panels, giveaways, and much more. Whether someone is into comics, games, or just meeting new friends, this event has it all. 9 am.

Power Station Bar & Lounge presents Sakenaut Festival
Sakenaut Festival is a Tokyo nightlife-inspired, all-you-can-drink sake festival, bringing a Japanese nightlife and sake experience directly to Houston audiences. The fest will feature sake and sake cocktails, Japanese drinking games, Nintendo Switch play, and a late-night DJ session, featuring Japanese spinners DJ Senna and DJ TSÜBEE, all built around a fun, social, Japan-inspired atmosphere. 2 pm.

Texas Monthly presents Taco Fest
At Texas Monthly's Taco Fest, attendees can enjoy an evening of live entertainment, culture, and some of the best tacos Texas has to offer. Tickets include access to bites from 15 taquerias featured on Texas Monthly’s most recent list of Top 50 Tacos in Texas, including No. 1 Ana Liz Taqueria (Mission) and No. 1 barbecue joint Burnt Bean Company (Seguin). VIP tickets are $85 and include bites from all featured joints, plus an extra thirty minutes of VIP access. GA tickets are $60 and include bites from all featured taquerias. 6 pm.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Arthouse Houston present Batman on the Bayou
Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Arthouse Houston will be giving us Batman on the Bayou, a free evening celebrating one of Houston’s most unique nighttime species. Presented as part of BBP’s Summer Species series exploring all things BATS, the event will feature family-friendly activities, a puppet show by Afasneh Aayani, nature education, and opportunities to learn more about the important role these night flyers play in our urban ecosystem. The evening also includes a screening of 1992’s Batman Returns – and costumes are encouraged! 7 pm.

Blaze x Black Halftime Performance
Houston rappers Blaze x Black have got some major events coming up this Tuesday, August 4 (aka Blaze x Black Day). That’s when they’ll drop the physical album release of their 2025 album NAHIMSAYIN, as well as their new single “Timmy Chan #2." But, before that happens, the pair will perform at halftime during the Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC, over at Shell Energy Stadium. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, July 26

Dance Afrikana presents the 2nd Biennial Houston Black Dance Festival
Presented by Dance Afrikana, the Houston Black Dance Festival is a biennial cultural celebration that honors the richness, innovation, and global impact of African and African diasporic dance traditions through community workshops, artistic exchange, and film. This year also marks an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Black Dance on Screen series, a selection of films by and about Black dancers, followed by live conversations with the filmmakers that explore the stories and creative processes behind their work. 9 am.

Celebrating Whitney Screwston’s Heavenly Birthday
Carla Romero, also known as Whitney Screwston, was a DJ and event organizer whose life was cut short when she passed away last October at age 31. This weekend, come celebrate what would’ve been Whitney’s 32nd birthday at Forest Park Cemetery. Attendees can pay their respects and salute a special someone who brought people together through music, art, and community. People can also contribute to this celebration (as well as support her legacy and future events) by filling out this Google form. 4 pm.

Photo by Larry Niehues

The Black Keys are coming to H-Town.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Allegro non troppo
An enterprising producer believes he has hit upon a winning concept: a program of original animated shorts set to classical music. Undeterred by warnings that this has already been done by an American named “Prisney,” he assembles an all-female orchestra, a bullish conductor, and an animator that he keeps locked in the dungeon. What could go wrong? Allegro non troppo — an irreverent send-up of Disney’s Fantasia — blends live-action slapstick with cheeky animation for a film as joyful and raunchy as it is thoughtful and cutting. 5 pm.

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