On the scenic shores of the Rio Grande River sits Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel, a lively complement to the area's serene beauty.
The excitement builds as soon as you enter the lobby, which reflects the most recent expansion and modern renovations. There are more than 3,300 electronic games vying for your attention now, including a high-limit area, private poker room, live bingo, and more.
Adding to the high-energy atmosphere are the giveaways and promotions — one lucky guest recently won a Porsche Cayman, and another big winner will drive away in a new Cadillac ATS this month. How can you make sure you don't miss your chance? Stay in the loop by following the announcements on the casino's website.
When it's time to take a break from playing, enjoy the weekly live entertainment at the ¿Qué Pasa? Lounge, just steps away from the gaming floor. Grab a cocktail and shimmy your way onto the dance floor, or visit on game days to watch your favorite team on the big screen.
The award-winning dining at Sage Steakhouse is a major draw, with beautifully prepared meals such as the 21-ounce Porterhouse or filet mignon, made with top 3 percent certified Angus beef. There are numerous other ways to feed your mood at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle, such as fresh authentic Mexican cuisine at Silantro Grill, delicious pub grub at Winners Sports Bar & Grill, casual dining at Mezquite Restaurant, and much more.
To get in a little relaxation with your action, reserve one of the 249 well-appointed, spacious suites and guest rooms. Then you can play, relax, and dine to your heart's content, all while gazing out on the Rio Grande and the beautiful South Texas landscape.
You now have your choice of more than 3,300 electronic games.
Photo courtesy of Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel
You now have your choice of more than 3,300 electronic games.
Josh O'Connor and Josh Brolin in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Since 2019, writer/director Rian Johnson has essentially turned over his career to murder mysteries, including 2019’s Knives Out, 2022’s sequel Glass Onion, and the just-canceled Peacock series Poker Face. He’s back for another bite of the apple with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
While private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns to help investigate a seemingly impossible murder, the majority of the focus of this film is on the employees and parishioners at a small Catholic church in upstate New York. Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) has been assigned to the parish to work under Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Wicks is a fiery orator who relies on intimidation, as well as the help of church aide Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), to maintain control over his flock.
That group includes lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), her politically ambitious brother Cy (Daryl McCormack), Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), writer Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), and groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church). The tenets of Catholicism, and religion in general, are put to the test as Father Jud challenges Monsignor Jefferson for leadership, and a death changes things even further.
The free-wheeling and fun nature of the first two Knives Out films gives way to a more methodical and introspective approach in Wake Up Dead Man. While Johnson is interested in presenting a murder mystery, it’s the lives of the various characters that take precedence, especially that of Father Jud. He is shown from the start as someone who wrestles with his faith, which is tested on multiple occasions as he encounters people who challenge him more than expected.
The arrival of Blanc on the scene turns the film into a type of buddy movie, with Father Jud serving as both investigator and suspect. Neither man embodies the type of behavior one might expect out of their respective professions, and what limited comedy the film has comes from their interactions. They’re reined in by Police Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), although her desire to get to the bottom of the murder is somewhat stymied by Blanc and Father Jud’s diversions.
The lessons learned from two very different types of sources - mystery novels and Catholicism - collide over the course of the film. A book club that very coincidentally includes multiple mystery novels, including John Dickson Carr’s The Hollow Man, plays a key role, as does the devoutness of the various people at the church. Ultimately, as was the case in the first two films, the nature of the whodunit comes in second place to how the characters react to the multiple reveals along the way.
Craig seems to tone down the over-the-top way he usually plays Blanc in this film, and his performance fits in well with the story being told. O’Connor, a star on the rise after Challengers and more, is asked to carry the film and he does so ably. The strong actors in the supporting cast are not used as well as they could have been, with only Close and Brolin truly making an impact. Geoffrey Wright shows up in a couple of small scenes and makes his presence known quickly.
Wake Up Dead Man is the least entertaining Knives Out film so far, but that’s not to say that it’s uninteresting. Johnson explores topics that result in more talking than action, but those conversations - especially between Blanc and Father Jud - are consistently engaging and revelatory about the characters and the crime they are investigating.
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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now playing in select theaters; it debuts on Netflix on December 12.
