In the summer, what's better than winding down from a long week with some fresh air, beautiful scenery, and live music? Only one thing: when it's all free.
Sunset Sessions in the Grove brings a roster of local musicians to Waterside, "Fort Worth's second living room." You can catch some of the area's most talented up-and-comers from 6-8 pm every Friday in May and June, and make a night of it while you're there.
The shopping, dining, and leisure destination is built around the Grove, a park-like oasis with access to the Trinity Trails that's tucked away in the center. Lush greenery surrounds locally made furniture and planters, with bocce ball and cornhole courts at the ready for fidgety little ones (or the little at heart). Take in the public art created by Texas artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade, and marvel at the 6,600-gallon cistern that collects water from the roof of Whole Foods Market.
There's free WiFi too, something that'll come in handy when you start sharing pics and clips of concerts. Here's who is on tap for June:
June 2: Casey Thompson
June 9: Ansley Dougherty
June 16: Morgan Lindley
June 23: Eric Webb
June 30:Zach Pack
Make a reservation for the patios at Piatello Italian Kitchen or Taco Diner, and enjoy the music while you dine or sip on a cocktail. You can also put together a meal at Whole Foods Market and stake out a spot on its patio, or take your food into the Grove for a picnic. Don't forget a bottle of wine or ice-cold six-pack.
If when June comes to a close you're already missing the music, don't worry — Sunset Sessions will be back again in the fall.
The Grove is an oasis, right in the middle of a shopping center.
Photo courtesy of Waterside in Fort Worth
The Grove is an oasis, right in the middle of a shopping center.
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.
---
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now playing in select theaters; it debuts on Netflix on December 12.
