Coronavirus Comeback

Pools make a splash in the newest list of attractions reopening in Dallas-Fort Worth

The Texas Pool in Plano has reopened with reduced capacity.

Texas Pool/Facebook

Households that are choosing to get out and about have plenty of options now around Dallas-Fort Worth. Even though the coronavirus pandemic is not over, restrictions on entertainment hot spots have loosened enough that they're ready to open their doors to smaller crowds, with many safety protocols in place. Here are the latest pools, museums, theaters, and other amusements that are back in business. (Previous reopenings are here.)

WhoaZone at Grapevine Lake (formerly Altitude H20) reopened for the summer on Saturday, June 13. Guests can enjoy an on-water obstacle course, beachside chairs and umbrellas for relaxing, fun land-based games, private birthday parties, and more. Guests must be at least 7 years old, at least 45 inches tall, and capable swimmers. For more information and tickets, check the website.

Dallas Heritage Village reopened to visitors on Monday, June 15. The museum has adjusted summer hours of 9 am-2 pm daily (plus 6-9 pm Thursdays), and a reduced admission of $8 for adults and free for children. For safety reasons, the buildings on site are closed, but the walkable grounds are open. Social distancing is enforced, hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the property, and there's a contactless ticket booth. More information at the website.

Southfork Ranch in Parker, the famous home of the Ewing family on TV's Dallas, resumed public tours on Tuesday, June 16. In addition, trail rides and private lessons have resumed. Staff is screened each day and social distancing is required to protect public health. For more information and tickets, visit the website.

The Texas Pool in Plano reopened to the public on Tuesday, June 16. Hours are 11 am-8 pm Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 12-6 pm Sunday. Capacity is limited to 50 percent, but reservations are not required and there's no mandatory time limit. Enhanced safety measures include providing soap and sanitizer to staff and guests; staff will wear masks, but they are not required for guests. Members have first priority while capacity is limited. For information about memberships and more, visit the website.

Billy Bob's Texas will begin reopening in phases, starting Thursday, June 18. The Fort Worth honky-tonk will open for daytime admission ($3) — including the Honky Tonk Kitchen, retail store, pool tables and games, bar, and ticket office — June 18-21. House bands will return to the Honky Tonk Stage, June 22-28. Free line dance lessons will return, along with larger scale concerts, beginning June 29. To read about the COVID-19 safety measures, purchase tickets, and more, check the website.

Jubilee Theatre in Fort Worth becomes the first DFW theater to resume performances when How I Got Over opens Friday, June 19. The company had previously postponed the production, a musical review by Nate Jacobs that celebrates the life of Mahalia Jackson and other gospel greats. With Gov. Abbott's permission to reopen with limited audience capacity, Jubilee is now presenting the show from June 19-July 19 — with opening night landing on the theater's 39th anniversary. More information in this story.

Urban Air Adventure Park reopens all DFW locations on Saturday, June 20. New safety protocols include hand sanitizing stations throughout, temperature of all guests and employees taken upon entry, employees wearing masks, limited capacities, and social distancing measures. Guests are not required to wear masks or gloves, but they are available for purchase. Ahead of reopening, Urban Air is offering a free day for all essential workers and families on Friday, June 19. Also, tickets purchased before June 20 will be 50 percent off. For more information and tickets, visit the website.

Jack Carter Park Pool in Plano will be open to the public June 29-August 9, then weekends only until Labor Day (September 7). Reservations are required and may be made up to two days in advance. Each three-hour block of time is limited to 250 guests; each reservation made is limited to six passes and one shift per day. For details on summer hours, memberships, and more, visit the website.

Meadows Museum (including gift shop) on the SMU campus will reopen to the public July 7 at reduced capacity but with regular hours. Healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers will receive free admission throughout the month of July. Timed tickets will be available for purchase through the museum's website beginning July 1. Social distancing will be enforced, staff will wear masks, and guests are encouraged to wear face coverings (both cloth and disposable masks will be available for a small donation). To see what's on view through the summer, check the museum website.

Four major Fort Worth museums are reopening soon. First out of the gate will be the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, which will officially open on Friday, June 19, following member-only days, June 16-18. The Kimbell Art Museum will be next up on June 20, following two members-only days. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame will open on June 24, with a members-only day on June 23. Finally, the Modern Art Museum will open on July 1. Find out more about their safety protocols, exhibitions, and more in this story.

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Movie Review

Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney go off in trashy film The Housemaid

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid.

Both Amanda Seyfried (the upcoming The Testament of Ann Lee) and Sydney Sweeney (Christy) are starring in movies with Oscar ambitions this year. By sheer coincidence, the two actors are also co-starring in The Housemaid, a thriller coming out within weeks of their more ambitious works, one that is likely to be seen by many more people than those prestige plays.

Sweeney is given top billing as Millie, a down-on-her-luck ex-convict looking to land any type of job so as not to break her parole. She finds a too-good-to-be-true lifeboat with Nina (Seyfried), who hires her to be a housemaid for her large house on Long Island, where she lives with her husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), and daughter, Cecilia (Indiana Elle).

After a warm interview, Nina almost immediately becomes highly erratic, whipping back-and-forth between happy-go-lucky and rageful. It seems clear that Nina is suffering from mental health issues, as she’ll often accuse Millie of misplacing or stealing items that she didn’t take. Andrew, apparently used to Nina’s tirades, tries to protect Millie from the worst, something that grows increasingly difficult as Nina ups the ante.

Directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor) and adapted by Rebecca Sonnenshine from the bestselling book by Freida McFadden, the film is likely the trashiest mainstream movie to come out in 2025. The first half of the movie relies not on story but on moments as Nina embodies the word “hysterical” to an unbelievable extent. The resigned acceptance of the abuse by Millie, as well as the saintly patience of Andrew, make almost every scene laughable, as nobody seems to be acting anywhere close to how a person would normally react to such extreme situations.

The scenes and the performance of Seyfried are so over-the-top, in fact, that it’s clear that the filmmakers are in on the joke. It’s next to impossible not to have a little bit of fun while watching the actors react to outrageous incidents as if nothing is out of the ordinary. The worse Nina acts, the more Millie and Andrew retreat into their chosen roles, and the funnier the film becomes.

Fans of the book will know that the story changes course, eventually turning into a more stereotypical thriller that also has some relatively gnarly visuals to offer. But the trashiness continues, with Sweeney’s, um, assets repeatedly on display in both clothed and unclothed ways. The sex appeal of the R-rated movie makes it an outlier, as recent studio films have shied away from asking their big stars to disrobe completely.

Both Seyfried and Sweeney are far from their Oscar hopeful roles here. Seyfried is given free rein to act as brazenly as she pleases, and she takes full advantage of that ability. Sweeney seems to have been told to be much more reserved, and unfortunately that results in too many wooden line readings. Sklenar continues his breakout streak (It Ends with Us, Drop) with a role that allows him to show more range than either Seyfried or Sweeney.

The Housemaid is an unusual type of movie to be released at a time of year when most films are either those aiming for awards or more family-friendly fare. Despite its many flaws, it’s still an enjoyable watch that features a variety of crazy scenarios not typically seen in movies nowadays.

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The Housemaid is now playing in theaters.

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