When reading of the biblical book of Ruth, the story of Ruth’s tireless devotion to her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, immigration probably isn’t the first issue that springs to mind. But in Ruth, a play by Vicki Caroline Cheatwood, the subject is front and center. The play offers a clearly contemporary…
Invasive searches by airport security, long lines at customs, hassles with exchanging currency — seriously, is being enriched by visiting foreign lands really worth all the hassles? Just stay home and let the world come to you at the DFW International Community Alliance’s DFW International Festival from 10 a.m. to…
About this time one year ago, one crazy, mixed-up team was hauling a gorilla suit, an 8-inch foil ball and two homemade meat helmets around Dallas in a desperate attempt to complete the Video Association of Dallas’ 24-Hour Video Race. That team—our team, made up of Dallas Observer staffers, former…
There’s a recognizable, tall metalhead who wears black glasses and is super nerd-funny. You may not know his name (you should—it’s Brian Posehn), but you’ve seen him in pivotal roles. No, not the ones on Mr. Show and the Sarah Silverman Program. Too easy. Those were great and all, but…
Midnight Cowboy is required viewing. John Schlesinger’s 1969 drama about hustling and friendship won three Oscars and was nominated for four more (which it should have won), but shiny trophies aren’t why it should be seen. The character development created by Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman was truly unprecedented. Midnight…
Might as well prepare you now: David Sedaris is sold out. Has been for a healthy bit now. There’s no point in wasting your tears, though, so just make yourself feel a little better by getting on the wait list for tickets: Call 214-922-1818. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop…
It probably sounds completely obvious that for the past two days the repeating theme seemed to be creativity. Because, well, naturally, films are creative endeavors. But the documentaries and features (three of four, anyway) centered around creative people — big-time ones, indie ones and “What the hell do I do…
The best part of having experienced your Big Film Fail in the first weekend of DIFF is knowing that you’ve gotten major disappointment out of the way and you can now just sit back, relax, and finish out on a high note. Maybe the note won’t be quite as high…
There is a magical 10-day stretch each spring when culture lovers will gladly trade our rare window of beautiful weather for hours upon hours spent inside a cold, dark room. It’s the Dallas International Film Festival, and it kicks off Thursday, running through April 22 at Angelika Dallas and Magnolia…
We’re hoping for at least a few Rick Perry punchlines at Backdoor Comedy April 1, since his expecting anyone with a vagina (or anyone who cares for anyone with a vagina) to respect him must surely be fall under the category of an April Fool’s joke. Zing! Rimshot and blue…
You love Dallas. You value Dallas. You enjoy Dallas. Now, don’t you want to Savor Dallas? Get your chance from Thursday, March 29 through Saturday, March 31 as the 8th annual Savor Dallas festival celebrates the city’s food, wine, spirits and arts with a variety of events. Friday’s menu includes…
You know what it means when people wearing giant flat pendants start hitting on each other for no other reason other than they’re both at the same event? It’s festival season! It’s not just for music and film, folks — festival season includes comedy. Specifically, the awesome comedy at the…
If the photos on their website are to be believed, Austin’s Invincible Czars have chops and sideburns that would rival the likes of Sam Houston, David Crockett and Jim Bowie – which is kind of appropriate since the Czars will be at the Texas Theatre March 24 to perform a…
If ever there were an example that you could, in fact, go to college, accidentally find your calling and change majors midstream without disaster, and with success, it is Mireya Mayor. The wildlife expert and television personality, who earned her Ph.D. doing research in the Madagascan wilds, admits she took…
What do you do after you front Black Flag and go successfully solo (or, at least, as an eponymous band), start your own publishing house, write a dozen or so books, act in a variety of films, work as a radio DJ, and tour with a sort of stand-up comedy-political…
He’s dropped from a helicopter to a submarine. He’s been trapped in Winona Ryder’s haunted house. He’s sweat through a shirt on screen due to humidity, and it wasn’t even icky. He’s provided narration for Wes Anderson—as well as a generation of kids with distant fathers but no sense of…
Tupperware fans don’t dick around. The sound of a lid snapping can bring someone to tears if it’s the missing piece to a complete collection — say, for instance, the perfect 1960s aqua juice cups. But you don’t have to be a TuppNut to fit in; the world’s favorite Tupperware…
Here’s a question people rarely think about when they wake up in the morning: Would the world be better with or without Charles Manson and the Order of the Rainbow? Through March 10, that’s exactly what audiences of the Ochre House will be mulling over. Matthew Posey and his cast…
They’re after your brains. If you had enough weapons and materials to form some sort of go-to kit, something that had anything and everything you’d need to ward off a zombie attack, you’d be set. But you don’t. You have to solve clues and perform crazy tasks to earn your…
The most memorable film moments, the ones that leave the most lasting impressions, often come from real life caught on film — the ones about which audiences say out loud, “I can’t believe that really happened.” But it’s not just about having a camera to catch those scenes; there’s an…
You can call bullshit on the hearts and doilies. Don’t waste any red roses on us, boxed, vased or otherwise. While we’re totally down with the sweet treats (year round), we don’t exactly vibe with the rest of the Valentine’s Day agenda to prove one’s love or prove one has…
You there in the Snuggie. Stop sitting on the couch just a few degrees too warm watching SoapNet/Military Channel. Rather, prepare to get off your ass this Saturday, February 4, from 2 to 10 p.m. — don’t even worry about changing — and head Uptown for the 3rd annual Snuggie…
