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    Movie Review

    John Cena is the saving grace of idiotic comedy Ricky Stanicky

    Alex Bentley
    Mar 11, 2024 | 2:00 pm
    John Cena in Ricky Stanicky

    John Cena in Ricky Stanicky

    Photo courtesy of Prime Video

    After years of making shamelessly idiotic comedies like Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and Shallow Hal, writer/director Peter Farrelly made the improbable switch to Oscar bait movies with Green Book in 2018, somehow winning Oscars in the process. Now that he’s got that out of his system, he’s back with yet another idiotic comedy, Ricky Stanicky.

    This one centers on three childhood friends - Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino), and Wes (Jermaine Fowler) – who, for over 20 years, have been using a fake friend they named Ricky Stanicky to either blame for their wrongdoing or as an excuse to get out of something they don’t want to do. The film kicks off with one such scheme, with the three bailing on a baby shower for JT’s wife, Susan (Anja Savcic), to go to Atlantic City.

    While there, they meet Rod (John Cena), a low-rent actor who does a show featuring parody songs that are all about masturbating. When the baby comes early and the guys have to rush home, their significant others start to get extra suspicious. In order to keep the lie going, they hire Rod to play Ricky for a day, but they are unprepared for how deeply Rod will inhabit a character that has only existed in their minds until now.

    Directed by Farrelly and written by Farrelly and five other writers, the film is mostly the equivalent of a flaming poop trick, a grotesque adolescent prank that Farrelly uses to establish the personalities of the three main characters. The film is full of random stupid jokes that don’t advance the plot in the slightest, like JT’s new baby sucking on his nipple, Wes talking about buying pot milk, or a duck trying to drown Dean and Erin’s dog.

    If there is a saving grace to the film, it’s Cena, who commits fully to the role of Rod/Ricky. He garners a few chuckles with a montage of Rod’s parody masturbation songs (song choice and costumes are key), but his pièce de résistance is an extended sequence when he’s introduced as Ricky at the bris for JT’s baby. The way he’s able to charm almost everybody at the party is a sight to see, and even though each conversation is a version of the same joke, they all work well.

    Unfortunately, Farrelly tries to dip into the same well for most of the rest of the film, with diminishing returns. The main trio never truly feels like a group of best friends, and throwing Rod into the mix only serves to enhance how uninteresting they are. The same goes for their significant others, who only seem to exist in order to have a source of conflict, and they barely function as that.

    The film would be completely unwatchable without Cena, as he gives it a boost of personality that the three leads do not possess, at least not here. Efron, as seen in the Neighbors films, has comic chops, but Farrelly gives him almost nothing to do. Santino stood out in the recent Scrambled, but he too is inert in this film. Fowler has the most thankless role, as he’s only given one scene where his character is the focus. Even William H. Macy as a blowhard boss doesn’t register.

    Farrelly rode the wave of outrageous comedies in the ‘90s and early 2000s, but his ability to wring humor out of inane situations has seemed to pass him by. Ricky Stanicky is a one-joke story with only a couple of memorable sequences, not nearly enough to justify the effort it takes to watch it.

    ---

    Ricky Stanicky is now streaming on Prime Video.

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    weekend event planner

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

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Aug 19, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Carlos Santana
    Photo by Roberto Finizio
    undefined

    Even though school is back in session, summer vibes remain strong across Houston. This weekend is loaded with art openings, film screenings, and classic rock gods performing for enthusiastic crowds.

    If that isn't enough, a new restaurant celebrates its grand opening, a Houston landmark turns 100, and Houstonians who miss the World Cup can get an introduction to the Premier League. Read on for our picks for this weekend's most appealing activities.

    Thursday, August 20

    Contemporary Arts Museum Houston present CAMH Cinema Club: F for Fake
    Trickery. Deceit. Magic. In F for Fake, a free-form, 1973 sort-of documentary directed by Orson Welles, the legendary filmmaker (and self-described charlatan) gleefully re-engages with the central preoccupation of his career: the tenuous lines between illusion and truth, art and lies. Join Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s CAMH Cinema Club for this free event. Seating is limited and first come, first serve. 6:30 pm.

    Absolutely HTX August Music Showcase
    This concert production company introduces regional musical talent to audiences at local venues and through its Instagram account. The monthly music showcase will feature music by neo-soul visionary Kymora Simone, stripped down acoustics from the creative project REEVES, a set by the independent art project Oh, Horray, an acoustic set by Houston-Southern-rock artist David Nachtigall, a closing pop-EDM set by Houston duo The Nytsters, and more. 7 pm.

    River Oaks Theatre presents Do No Harm
    Home health nurse Sam Yeong (Harry Shum Jr.) is already burned out and overwhelmed. But when he realizes that, in his exhaustion, he may have administered a fatal dose of medication to a young patient, he begins to unravel. Over the next 24 hours, his mounting guilt sets him on a collision course with the grieving father (Jimmy Gonzales), while those around him become entangled in the fallout. Following the screening, audience members are invited to stay for a live Q&A with members of the filmmaking team. 9:45 pm.

    Friday, August 21

    Tacodeli Grand Opening & Back to School Bash
    The Austin-based taco restaurant is celebrating the start of the school year with a two-day Back to School Bash at its recently-opened Katy location. The celebration will feature live music, family-friendly activities, giveaways, and food and drink specials. Tacodeli will donate 50 percent of all sales on Friday and Saturday to Katy Taylor and Cinco Ranch high schools. Throughout both days, kids 12 and under will eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée when dining in. Folks can also enjoy $5 house made 16-ounce frozen and rocks margaritas all day. 5 pm (11 am Saturday).

    Black Cinema Club HTX and Press Players Club present Scenes & Soundtrax | House Party
    Black Cinema Club HTX and Press Players Club are teaming up for another Scenes & Soundtrax event, celebrating the moments where film and music collide. This time around, they’re spotlighting House Party, the 1990 hip-hop comedy that proved a great soundtrack can be just as memorable as the movie itself. It’ll be an evening of community, conversation, and media analysis as they revisit the film's cultural impact, the music that defined an era, and why it continues to influence pop culture today. ‘90s attire is encouraged. 7 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Hole
    Set just prior to the start of the 21st century, this dystopic 1998 story follows two residents of a crumbling Taipei apartment building who refuse to leave, in spite of a virus that has forced evacuation of the area. As rain pours down relentlessly, a man deals with a hole in his floor, resulting in an odd relationship with the woman neighbor below him. Combining deadpan humor with unexpected musical numbers, auteur Tsai Ming-liang personally supervised new prints (in glorious 35mm!) of one of the most original films of the 1990s. 7 pm.

    Santana and The Doobie Brothers in concert
    The Woodlands is gonna be swarming with music fans looking to party like it's 1979 this weekend. On Thursday, Chicago and Styx will be at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion, as part of their co-headlining tour. The following night, Santana and The Doobie Brothers will be there, as part of their Oneness Tour. Santana is touring in support of his 2025 album, Sentient, while The Doobie Brothers are touring in support of their 2025 album, Walk This Road. 7 pm.

    Saturday, August 22

    Premier League presents Everton Football Club Watch Party
    Everton Football Club will bring the excitement of the Premier League’s opening weekend to Houston, as part of the Premier League’s Coast to Coast initiative. The Blues will host an official watch party at Pitch 25 in EaDo, centrered around Everton’s first match of the 2026/27 season against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Go here to register. 8 am.

    River Oaks District presents The Wellness Edit
    This monthly morning event is dedicated to wellness and self-care. Begin the day with an energizing Vinyasa yoga class followed by a curated selection of wellness experiences. Explore beauty and skincare offerings, recovery and self-care activations, healthy refreshments, exclusive giveaways, and more. This outdoor experience is open to the public and free to attend. Through Saturday, October 17. 9:30 am.

    Vibe Artisan Market presents Summer Vibe Art Fair
    This two-day artisan market features over 80 handcrafted artists and makers selling local art, metal/gemstone jewelry, ceramics, slow fashion, handcrafted home goods, and more. There will also be a live vinyl DJ set, a walkable art gallery showcasing local visual artists, free Topo Chico in the on-site lounge, coffee bar, food from globally inspired chefs, swag bags for the first 25 attendees each day, and more. 11 am.

    Houston Public Library presents The Julia Ideson Building's 100th Birthday Celebration
    Houston Public Library will celebrate 100 years of the Julia Ideson Building with an event featuring a full day of library and book-themed activities inspired by the building's namesake and HPL’s first librarian. Highlights include a screening of the documentary The Julia Ideson Building - Celebrating 100 Years, guided tours of the historic building, a special exhibit highlighting its rich past, craft activities, giveaways, and a Vintage Storytime featuring gems from the historic children’s book collection. Noon.

    Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "Mixing Media" opening reception
    Bringing together artists who approach material in distinct and innovative ways, this group exhibition celebrates texture through the use of diverse materials, showcasing works ranging from polystyrene and collage to paper and metal and beyond. It also highlights how media itself can become both subject and language. At its core, it’s about experimentation, a celebration of curiosity in motion that comes from constantly exploring material and process. 6 pm.

    Sunday, August 23

    Pilates, Mimosas & Porsche: Luxury Wellness Brunch Exclusive Edition
    Movement, luxury, wellness, and community come together for an unforgettable experience at this morning event. Start the day with a signature Pilates session, then spend the morning enjoying a coffee party with a live DJ, discovering the Expo Village (featuring premium wellness, beauty, and lifestyle brands), relaxing inside luxury amenities, and connecting with hundreds of like-minded people in one of Houston’s most beautiful wellness destinations. 9 am.

    Benise in concert
    Known as “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” Benise celebrates 25 years of fiery Spanish guitar and dance by playing everything from Led Zeppelin to Vivaldi. Along with an international cast of musicians and dancers, the Emmy-winning composer will entertain audiences with a two-hour show that is also one of the longest running, Latin-themed theatrical productions touring the world. He has released 15 albums in his career, most recently Fiesta! in 2022. 6 pm.

    Vela Ensemble presents "Where the Senses Meet"
    Join Vela Ensemble and Archway Gallery featured artist Lisette McClung for pairings of woodwind chamber music and artwork. Whether you're a music lover, an art enthusiast, or just curious, this concert promises to be both intimate and vibrant. Come join the fun and let your senses run wild. A light-bite reception will follow. Free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $20 per person. This is an intimate venue with a capacity of 50, so please RSVP. 6 pm.

    Carlos Santana
    Photo by Roberto Finizio

    Santana in concert.

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