Rose D. Cotton 
Maybe you’ve already caught the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.” A famous Texan takes you into a very different genre of film this weekend. Matthew McConaughey narrates “Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story”. It’s a breathtaking look at what makes Texas unique in terms of landscapes and topography…but also the sheer variety of species and how they struggle to survive. It took director and part-time Austin resident Ben Masters years to capture the footage and footage with cutting-edge cinematography. More than impressing us, the film teaches us the need to preserve our beautiful state. I was mesmerized and learned so much!
(Fin & Fur Films. Unrated. Duration 1 hr 41 min. In theaters only)
New Orleans and music. Now, that can only put you in a good mood! Maybe you saw Oscar-winning “Summer of Soul” on a forgotten 1969 music festival in Harlem. Well, “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” celebrates 50 years of the announced festival. There are lively interviews and performances showcasing all the sounds and cultures that make the city so special…from the pure brass of Preservation Hall to Zydeco to Gospel and how they all come together in this iconic event. There are performances from so many talents, including Earth, Wind and Fire, Al Green, the Marsalis family (including the late patriarch Ellis Marsalis) and Jimmy Buffet. In fact, the Parrot Head-in-chief is one of the executive producers. Let the good times roll!
(Sony Pictures Classics. Rated PG-13. Running time 1 hr 34 min. In theaters only)
