Bowie's Maze

David Bowie's film career hasn't exactly been illustrious, but he's carved out a niche for himself playing a range of odd characters such as Pontius Pilate, Nikola Tesla, Andy Warhol, a vampire and an alien. Another addition to the list is his bizarre turn as Jareth the Goblin King in...

By Michelle Mathews

July 9, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

David Bowie's film career hasn't exactly been illustrious, but he's carved out a niche for himself playing a range of odd characters such as Pontius Pilate, Nikola Tesla, Andy Warhol, a vampire and an alien. Another addition to the list is his bizarre turn as Jareth the Goblin King in the 1986 family classic Labyrinth. Of course, it's possible that Bowie's conspicuous package, obscenely straining against his stretch pants, disqualifies Labyrinth as a family film. But junk aside, Labyrinth is an imaginative work that combines Jim Henson's fantastic muppets with M.C. Escher imagery, some memorable songs ("As the World Falls Down") and, well, some truly awful songs ("Chilly Down," ugh). The film also features Jennifer Connelly in her innocent days; I'm pretty sure her outfit in this movie--poet blouse, tapestry vest and tapered jeans--set the trend for every girl I knew in middle school. Even if you hate Bowie, Connelly, muppets, labyrinths, owls, Escher, goblins and everything else in this movie, you must see Labyrinth for the moments of crystal-globe manipulation, an awesome feat by dexterous contact juggler Michael Moschen. Yeah, I just turned juggling nerd on you. See Labyrinth at midnight Friday and Saturday at the Inwood Theatre, 5458 W. Lovers Lane. Call 214-764-9106 or visit landmarktheatres.com.
Fri., July 10; Sat., July 11, 2009

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.