Quantcast
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

The reboot of the Scream franchise in 2022 might have been intended to be dumped in the dead zone of January, but its unexpectedly high $81 million box office put a sequel on the fast track. And it’s a good thing they did, because the new young cast members – notably Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmine Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding – are hot properties and getting hotter by the minute.

Scream VI finds the foursome away from the cursed town of Woodsboro, as they have all relocated to the notoriously safe New York City together. Tara (Ortega) and twins Mindy (Savoy Brown) and Chad (Gooding) are students at the fictional Blackmoore University, while Sam (Barrera) does her best to keep Tara safe after reconnecting with her sister in the previous film.

The emergence of a new Ghostface killer not only puts all of them at risk, but also new roommates Quinn (Liana Liberato) and Ethan (Jack Champion), as well as Sam’s new love interest, Danny (Josh Segarra). Helping to track down the killer (or killers) is Det. Bailey (Dermot Mulroney) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panatierre), now an FBI agent after being terrorized herself in Scream 4.

Still sticking with the credo of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the filmmakers – returning co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Ginnett, and returning co-writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick – go back to the same formula seen many times before over and over again. The killer attacks, manages to stab a victim or two before getting hit by a blunt object, disappears mysteriously after the protagonists are distracted, rinse and repeat.

At this point it would be surprising if they deviated much at all from what is expected, since fans don’t seem to mind the repetition. That’s not to say that the film is completely devoid of entertainment. The brutal opening scene, another hallmark of the series, manages to bring a degree of cleverness to the film. And even though most of the kills are telegraphed, the level of violence will satisfy any hardcore horror fan.

However, the film too often takes the easy road. It’s set around Halloween, so that hordes of people roaming the streets in masks, many of them Ghostface ones, seems natural. Instead of raising the tension, it somehow takes it away as the filmmakers can’t use the idea properly. Sam being haunted by her parentage once again plays a big part in the story, but just as in the last film, it doesn’t add up to much.

The lack of good material is a crying shame, as the film truly does have a gem of a cast. Ortega is at the top of everyone’s list after the Netflix show Wednesday and other recent roles. Barrera has the charisma and the looks to be the star in many more projects. And Savoy Brown and Gooding have the goods to easily slide back and forth between movies and TV.

In the Scream franchise, Ghostface will never die because there will always be someone new who’s willing – or psychotic enough – to don the mask and do some more slashing. But unless filmmakers are able to inject some new ideas into the mix, it might be best to let the series die, once and for all.

---

Scream VI opens in theaters on March 10.

Ghostface in Scream VI

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Ghostface in Scream VI.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Mary Lou Retton interview tops this week's 5 most-read San Antonio stories

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1. Gymnastics hero Mary Lou Retton recovering at home in Boerne following health scare. Olympic gymnastics great Mary Lou Retton said she faces a long battle recuperating at home from a rare form of pneumonia in which doctors weren't sure whether she would survive. Retton sat down at her home in Boerne, outside San Antonio, for an interview with Hoda Kotb that aired January 8 on NBC’s Today show.

2. Another rash of closures darken San Antonio restaurant news. Not everyone participates in Dry January, but the second week of the month remains sobering for the San Antonio hospitality industry. The recent rash of closures continues unabated while corporations rush to snag the limited dining dollar.

3. Outdoorsy music festival near San Antonio to take place under total eclipse. Utopia, Texas (about 80 miles west of San Antonio), will be firmly in the middle of the solar eclipse on April 8. A music festival that originated there is returning to celebrate from April 5-9.

4. New seafood fusion restaurant hooks spot in darling SATX development. The Creamery, the ambitious mixed-use development near Pearl, soon will welcome the second of five promised concepts: Hook Land & Sea is set to debut on Monday, January 15. As the name implies, the menu features various seafood dishes alongside a few meatier options for landlubbers.

5. 2 San Antonio-area ZIP codes stand out in new list of hottest U.S. housing markets in 2023. Despite higher mortgage rates, San Antonio's housing market continued to attract more people to the suburbs in 2023, according to a new report by Opendoor. Two San Antonio-area ZIP codes were among the top 10 locales in the nation, coming in at No. 9.

Texas expert tips to protect people, pets, plants, pools, and cars from the freeze

freeze-ready

As an Arctic front chills much of the country and sweeps through Texas, San Antonio is preparing for its first freeze of 2024. Fortunately, current forecasts suggest that Texas won’t be ravaged by a long, devastating storm like Uri in 2021, which saw thousands without power and water for days.

KENS5’s team of meteorologists has determined that the Arctic cold front has already been sending colder temperatures, but will result in a hard freeze beginning Sunday, January 14. The team predicts that Tuesday will be the coldest day, with windchill making it feel even colder. The days will warm up to well above freezing, but drop again, so look out for potential ice.

Freeze-ready

Experience tells us to safeguard the four Ps: people, pets, pipes, plants. As San Antonio is a car town, getting the ride ready for the plunging temps is also crucial.

With that in mind, CultureMap enlisted some local experts to assist harried Texans prep for our sudden freeze. Some tips are elementary, some are refreshers, and all are helpful to prevent headaches later.

People

Clearly, residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible.

Environmental conservation organization Sierra Club shared via its Lone Star Chapter on Instagram that locals should look up "your city name and 'nearby warming centers'" to be prepared for a power outage. Do this ahead of time in case your phone runs out of battery or you lose service. It also suggests reaching out to neighbors to learn who lost power in past years, share tips, and help each other prepare.

Also: Don't panic! Panic buying at grocery stores has been well-recorded over the years, but losing sight of what you really need makes things harder for others to get what they need. (How much milk and toilet paper can you really go through?)

Pets

Tragically, animals — especially dogs and cats — suffer brutally during extreme temps. “When the temperature drops, the absolute best thing you can do for your pet is to bring them inside — remember, dogs and cats can get frostbite and hypothermia just like humans,” Tena Lundquist Faust, co-president of Houston PetSet, tells CultureMap.

Tama Lundquist, co-president of Houston PetSet, reminds Houstonians who witness animal abuse or a dog cruelly chained or tethered outside in the elements to contact their law enforcement agency or file a report with a task force. In San Antonio, that would be Animal Care Services, reachable via 3-1-1.

“It is now required by law to provide adequate shelter that will protect dogs from the elements. If you see dogs left outside without shelter, please report it,” she says. “With the temperatures dropping, that call could save that dog’s life.”

Animal-loving San Antonians can also leave cat or dog food — and water, after the freeze — outside for wandering strays who may need some nourishment. Consider donating to local shelters, rescues, and on-the-ground animal assistance groups as well.

CultureMap Dallas senior editor Teresa Gubbins adds these tips from the SPCA of Texas:

  • Tap your hood. Warm engines attract cats and small animals, who nestle under the hood but can get seriously hurt if a car is running. Tap your hood before starting your car to scare them out.
  • Check their paws. Check and wipe paws after walks to protect against harsh weather and salt after outdoor walks.
  • Sweater weather. Consider a warm dry coat for your pet when outdoors.
  • Watch for chemicals. Antifreeze is poisonous - keep it out of reach.
  • Stay indoors. Keep potty breaks quick, and monitor your pet while outside.
  • Be alert. Keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia such as shivering, whining, lethargy, decreased heart rate, and trouble walking or breathing.

Gubbins also has tips for helping wildlife, courtesy of The North Texas Wildlife Center:

  • Put out fresh water in various size bowls, checking frequently to break it up if it freezes, or keep it from freezing with a heated bowl or heating device.
  • Leaves, sticks, and straw provide nesting materials and shelter for wildlife to stay warm.
  • Put out whole or shelled nuts for squirrels.
  • Place birdseed in sheltered areas such as under bushes, carports, or umbrellas, to protect from harsh winds.
  • Keep your cats and dogs indoors.

Wildlife may seek food at the warmest time of the day; Don't be surprised to see wild animals at odd times.

Plants

Those with a green thumb have no doubt tended to their floral family. For those who need a little help, Zach Buchanan, owner of Buchanan’s Native Plants in Houston, offers some tips — and encouragement — after the freeze ravages our planted flora.

“The top of the plant may die, but that doesn't mean the plant is necessarily dead,” says Buchanan, who adds that owners shouldn’t necessarily rip out plants that seem “brown and dead,” as they may regenerate in the spring.

A team member at East Austin Succulents demonstrates on Instagram how to keep those tips warm with plastic cups.

Adding incandescent lights under the blankets which will raise the temperatures on the ground and around the plant, Buchanan notes. Then, cover with frost cloth or blankets. He advises against plastic, as it can burn leaves, unless it’s on top of the blankets. “But it’s best just to avoid plastic,” he adds.

If time, Buchanan says mulching flower beds adds extra insulation for plants and helps guarantee a spring return.

Pipes

Master plumber and owner of All The Time Plumbing Thomas Moreno says that the No. 1 freeze prep for pipes is to turn off and drain the backflow preventer to the yard's sprinkler (if applicable). "All you really need is a flathead screwdriver to drain it and it will stop the plastic diaphragm from breaking," he tells us.

Moreno shares video tips below:

Cover pipes with insulation or old towels and and wrap with duct tape, and faucets with covers (found at any hardware store) or duct tape and towels.

Inside, open cabinets that house plumbing fixtures to allow hot air to get into cabinets and let faucets trickle if they face an outside wall on the other side.

Those who won't be home or are prepping additional homes or rentals should shut the water main off and drain all faucets.

Leaving and turning off the water? Don't forget to flush toilets to get all water out of the tanks. "During the 2021 freeze, a lot of toilet tanks froze because people weren't there," Moreno says, "but the tanks cracked. We must've replaced 50 toilet tanks."

Pools

Houston real estate expert Paige Martin enlisted Nabors Pools for some freeze tips.

Pools that have automation such as Pentair Easytouch, Hayward OmniLogic, or Jandy Aqualink, should have freeze protection already built into the system. If equipment is properly set up with functional censors — and electricity is running — no action is needed.

Check pools with timers and a variable speed pump with a display or control panel (located at the back of the pump) for freeze protection (if enabled).

For pools with timers and a single-speed pump without Wi-Fi control, app, remote, panel, or alternative control mechanisms, adjust the pump to run continuously during freezing temperatures to avoid damage.

Important reminder: Water temperature is more important than the air temperature. If water temperature is well above freezing, no action is needed. When in doubt, keep the water moving, circulating, and pumps running for safety.

In the event that the area loses electricity, turn off all breakers and drain the equipment — if it's safe. Those unsure of how to do this can watch this video.

Cars

Matt Burrage of Texas-German Autohaus reminds drivers to flush out water from their wipers and fill washer fluid — compatible for freezes — and run it for one minute.

Keep cars in garages if possible, and ensure that coolant systems have actual antifreeze and not just water. "Freezes make the water in those systems expand," says Burrage, the result is cracked parts that overheat when the car finally drives — and the car overheats.

Don't surprise to see low-tire warning after the freeze (cold air compresses air in tires.) Burrgage notes that local Discount Tire shops have seen 200 cars at a time in line for the tire pressure station. Owners of older cars should ensure batteries are tested and oil has been changed — preferably to synthetic.

Speaking of cold, cars, and animals: it's always smart to honk the horn or beat the hood to warn and critters in the car that have sought shelter.

"Nine years ago, a man called us and said he heard a cat meowing in his car," says Burrage. The man (for some reason) drove 25 minutes to Burrage, whose team extracted a kitten that had desperately clung to the transmission for warmth.

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending: A (rather annoyed) Burrage gave the cold, lonely, terrified kitten to a staffer, who adopted and named it — fittingly — Mercedes.

CultureMap will update this story with any breaking news.

RodeoHouston reveals road trip-worthy lineup starring Jonas Brothers, Blake Shelton, and more

rodeohouston 2024

It’s finally here. We now know the entertainment lineup for this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concert series, running February 27 to March 17 at NRG Stadium.

RodeoHouston 2024’s roster is history-making, as multiple rap acts take the stage for the first time ever in one season. Houston rap icon Bun B will return for a final installment of his two groundbreaking H-Town and Southern Takeover shows. But this year, rapper, Newstonian, and Rodeo Uncorked! Boss bidder 50 Cent will headline Black Heritage Day.

Other notable names include country and pop culture star Blake Shelton, who leads off on Opening Day, and the Jonas Brothers, who last played the rodeo more than 10 years ago. Country fans can look forward to the familiar faces Brad Paisley, Zac Brown, and Luke Bryan, who’ll mark his 10th rodeo show this year.

Of the 20 performers, half are rodeo newcomers, including 50 Cent and Nickelback. By the numbers, the 20 acts boast 56 Academy of Country Music awards, 47 Country Music Association awards, 17 American Music Awards, and 15 GRAMMY Awards.

As mentioned, singer and former The Voice host Blake Shelton serves as the headliner for Opening Day on Tuesday, February 27. Carly Pearce follows the next day for Armed Forces Appreciation Day on Wednesday, February 28. Country act For King + Country take the stage the next day on Thursday, February 29.

Then comes Black Heritage Day on Friday, March 1, with 50 Cent up in da club and, let’s hope, poppin’ some bottles. Already a player on the rodeo scene, 50 Cent made headlines last year when his own Champagne, Le Chemin du Roi Brut, was named Grand Champion Best of Show at the Rodeo Uncorked! competition. Bidders threw $325,000 at his Champagne, a rodeo record.

HARDY, who’s making waves as a versatile country and rock songwriter and performer, follows 50 on Saturday, March 2. Ivan Cornejo performs on Sunday, March 3, followed by country music prince Hank Williams, Jr., who’ll headline First Responders Day on Monday, March 4.

Folk-country artist Oliver Anthony and his beautifully bushy beard take the stage on Tuesday, March 5; rapper Jelly Roll drops rhymes on Wednesday, March 6. Luke Bryan, making his 10th rodeo appearance, headlines Volunteer Appreciation Day on Thursday, March 7. EDM fans can catch the Jamaican-vibed trio Major Lazer the next day on Friday, March 8.

Saturday, March 9 sees Lainey Wilson on stage, with favorite Los Tigres del Norte roaring on Go Tejano Day, Sunday, March 10. Southern rockers (and the pride of Palestine, Texas) Whiskey Myers hit the stage on Monday, March 11.

In his hotly anticipated, potentially final headlining rodeo show, hip-hop monarch and burger king Bun B will perform on Tuesday, March 12, in what we can only hope will follow the star-studded “Takeover” theme and round out a historic trilogy for Houston’s Trill OG.

“I wanted people to see that rap and the rodeo could coexist in the room with no one feeling awkward," Bun B tells CultureMap. “I wanted rap to be in the rodeo on a night that didn't say, 'okay cowboys, stay home.' The rodeo has fought very hard to be inclusive. So we fought very hard to be inclusive as well. We did not want to block people out. That was never the case. What we wanted to show actually was that rap music is probably the most inclusive music culture. And I think we've done a pretty good job of that so far and I think this year will prove it even more, to a point where we'll look back one day and we won't even remember precisely when there wasn't rap at the rodeo. That's my dream.”

“We've proven that rap music can be a part of the rodeo no matter what night you put it on,” he continues, “no matter who you present it to rap has room at the rodeo. The rodeo has made room for us and we're doing right by them.”

In quite the pivot, the following day sees rockers Nickelback make their rodeo debut on Wednesday, March 13. Fans of the Zac Brown Band can catch them the next day on Thursday, March 14.

Expect a legion of female fans to pack NRG on Thursday, March 15 as the Jonas Brothers charm the crowd; the always-charming, rodeo fave Brad Paisley follows on Friday, March 16.

Eric Church, country star singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur, will close out the rodeo on Saturday, March 17.

Get tickets for this year’s shows online on Thursday, January 18 in two waves: 10 am and 2 pm. Wave 1 covers February 27 to March 7 performances; Wave 2 tickets are for March 8-17 shows. Online waiting rooms will open at 9:30 am for Wave 1 and 1:30 pm for Wave 2. Waiting room customers will be randomly selected to enter the store and purchase tickets for the 10 am and 2 pm waves.