Tag: movies

Houston Matters

Mystery Science Theater Alums Discuss the Art of Movie Riffing

Posted on · (Above: L-R Frank Conniff as TV’s Frank and Trace Beaulieu as Dr. Clayton Forrester in the early days of “Mystery Science Theater 3000.”) The revival of the cult TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 debuted on Netflix last month (April 14, 2017). The show’s premise is all an excuse just to hear a guy — no […]

Houston Matters

Houston Film Critics Preview March Movies

Posted on · Houston Matters goes to the movies! Our panel previews what’s coming out in theaters this month. Today’s panel includes: Regina Scruggs, film journalist and critic; T.J. Callahan, film critic for AM 1070 The Answer’s Sam Malone Show; and Lisa Elin of Reel Happiness Cinema Therapy. Theater Releases Mentioned in this Edition: Logan Kong: Skull Island […]

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and March Movies: Tuesday’s Show (March 14, 2017)

Posted on · The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo heads into its second week. In just its first five days, the annual event has drawn more half a million visitors to events ranging from calf roping, to mutton busting, to the carnival and numerous big-name musical acts. On this edition of Houston Matters, we send Michael Hagerty to […]

Houston Matters

Westerns as Morality Plays: High Noon and the Hollywood Blacklist

Posted on · (Above: Gary Cooper in a scene from the 1952 Western “High Noon.”) Tonight (March 1, 2017) at 7 at Brazos Bookstore, journalist Glenn Frankel will discuss his new book, called High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic.  The book is about the classic Hollywood western High Noon, which, of course, stars Gary […]

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Political Roundup, and the Best Places to Watch Sports in Houston: Wednesday’s Show (March 1, 2017)

Posted on · For the first time, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night (Feb. 28, 2017). Plus the Texas Legislature continued into its eighth week. On this edition of Houston Matters, we convene our weekly political roundup to discuss the those and other political stories happening at the national, state and local level. […]

Houston Matters

From ‘Lego Batman’ to ‘Tulip Fever’ — Must-Watch Movies for February

Posted on · Houston Matters takes you to the movies! Despite the A-list Oscars, February is often a slow time for movies. Our panel of film critics discusses new releases you should see this month, both in theaters and online. Our panel is comprised of: film critic and journalist Regina Scruggs, Joshua Starnes, a staff critic for ComingSoon.net, […]

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Political Roundup and Rockets Turn 50: Wednesday’s Show (February 8, 2017)

Posted on · From President Trump’s cabinet appointees being confirmed (one requiring a tie-breaking vote in the Senate from the Vice President), to the Texas Senate beginning action on Gov. Abbott’s emergency items, including a preliminary vote Tuesday on a bill to ban so-called “sanctuary cities,” on this edition of Houston Matters we break down recent political news […]

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The Best of Our Conversations with Actors and Directors: Tuesday’s Show (January 3, 2017)

Posted on · One of the many pleasures of producing a program like Houston Matters is the opportunity to meet and talk with creative people, including – occasionally – notable actors and directors. Some are Houston natives; others are just passing through town. But each brings his or her unique experiences and perspectives to the work they do, and […]

Houston Matters

Houston Event Encourages Conversations About Mortality

Posted on · This weekend, the Aurora Picture Show hosts a film festival…about death. The event is organized by Death Salon, an initiative that encourages conversations on mortality and mourning. The group travels from city to city holding different events that relate to the topic of death, which founder and director Megan Rosenbloom says is too often sanitized in our society. From […]

Houston Matters

How ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ Became a Cult Classic

Posted on · When Gene Wilder died late last month (Aug. 29, 2016), area film critic Joe Leydon reached out to Houston Matters, noting what he called “unfortunately great timing” for a special screening in town (Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at Alamo Drafthouse) of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Wilder as the titular Wonka. The film, […]

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Segregation, Construction Numbers and Ben Kingsley: Thursday’s Show (September 15, 2016)

Posted on · Almost like a drumbeat, Houstonians know – and love to repeat – the notion that we are the “most diverse city in America.” And Dr. Stephen Klineberg, co-founder of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, says that’s correct. Houston exhibits something called “the entropy index,” meaning our city comes closer than any other […]

Houston Matters

Houston Filmmaker Greg Carter on Making Movies in the Bayou City

Posted on · The Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP) is holding its annual Business of Film Conference Friday and Saturday (Sept. 16-17, 2016) at Rice University. The keynote speaker is filmmaker Greg Carter, a Houston native who’s directed a number of films, including several shot here in Houston. Carter tells Michael Hagerty about the challenges and opportunities inherent in […]

Houston Matters

Listener Comments: The Unintended Consequences of ‘Life of Brian’

Posted on · And now, one of your recent comments: Carolyn Sylvan wrote us after our conversation with film critic Joe Leydon about Monty Python and the Holy Grail. She says when she was in 7th grade, her mom encouraged her and a friend to rent the film. She says when the Black Knight scene came on, she laughed […]