Whoa, whoa, whoa. Nearly a week before Halloween, and we haven’t spotlighted a zombie film? Well, here’s two: 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). The original and the sequel are watershed zombie films. They changed the game. Moaning, meandering brain-eaters are officially boring. Danny Boyle’s two-part, digitally-shot…
Aerobatic pilots are a different breed of human than you and I. This is clear from the moment Sean D. Tucker saunters into the spotless Alliance Airport hangar, all cool confidence and swagger as he flashes a toothy grin and grips my hand in a firm shake. While he’s probably…
In the realm of horror film trailers that use hyperbole to sell their movie, Hellraiser is one of the very, very few that actually live up to the promises. “A nightmare unlike anything that you have witnessed”? Yep, that is true! When you’re talking Clive Barker’s 1987, debut film, it’s…
Have a hot idea for a play? Start typing. Deadlines are fast approaching for several local playwriting competitions and not a few national ones. Scripts as short as 10 minutes are wanted by some contests. Others offer large cash prizes for full-length plays. The secret to winning one of these?…
There are ghosties in the treezies all over town. Halloween yard decorations are adding spookily Goth touches to lawns, especially in Highland Park, where not a few elegant mansions are under attack by giant spiders and haunted by specters dangling from tree limbs or dancing in circles by the driveway…
It seems like only yesterday we were gearing up for corny dogs and carnival rides, but now it’s time to bid farewell to Big Tex and the State Fair of Texas. If you haven’t made the trip to Fair Park yet, do so this weekend because Big Tex’s massive jeans…
Readers, have you experienced a night of unforgettable Dallas-ness? A night you were proud to be a part of, one that represented what you think of when you think of our fair city? Tell us about it. Email Jenny Block and she might feature your experience in a future Dallas…
Theater Caps are bite-sized punch-packing capsule reviews by resident theater critic Elaine Liner. Use them as a reminder — or a teaser, if you procrastinate — of her full-length reviews in The Mixmaster’s weekly sister. Thanks to some fine acting, the dry civics class taught by Jon Marans’ play The…
“I’m going for ‘geeky band nerd’ tonight, hence the 3D glasses” Name: Amelia Victoria, 24 Occupation: Yoga instructor Location: Reno’s Chop Shop Style breakdown: “The Gorehounds t-shirt (because I’m dating the bassist), 7 For All Man Kind jeans, Forever 21 platforms and authentic 3D glasses.” Influences: “My mood inspires me.”…
No, no, no. Not that Angelina Jolie flick from 2008. That’s just Changeling, and while Jolie’s huge, puffy lips are kinda creepy, they can’t hold a candle to 1980’s The Changeling, the moody, haunted house spooker starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere and Melvyn Douglas. OK, you kids, stop…
Joss Whedon’s Avengers trailer arrived on iTunes on October 11. Since then, it was downloaded over 10 million-freaking times. The trailer’s pretty much a big candy-bag of film fun: Thor looks pretty with his flowing blonde hair, Iron Man playing Robert Downey says some hilarious-smart things, and explosion, explosion, explosion…
“Good storms are like hot romance. The wilder the better, as long as they’re safe,” says Stephen Levine who’s currently showing his storm chasing photos of lightning shows and storm clouds at Lago Vista Gallery. Stephen Levine has always been enamored by storms. Every since he was two years old,…
Theater Caps are bite-sized punch-packing capsule reviews by resident theater critic Elaine Liner. Use them as a reminder — or a teaser, if you procrastinate — of her full-length reviews in The Mixmaster’s weekly sister. To see the next generation of hot theater artists in Dallas, try to catch one…
Sure to be drowned out by the drum circles at Occupy Wall Street, writer-director J.C. Chandor’s lifeless Margin Call depicts roughly 36 hours at an unnamed Manhattan investment firm at the dawn of the 2008 financial freak-out. Chandor’s debut feature audaciously asks us to empathize with obscenely overpaid risk analysts…
What would an Uptown Players production be without a naked man in it? Its core audience, gay middle-aged men who flock to Uptown’s gay-themed musicals and plays, seems to appreciate it. And really, who doesn’t? More nudes is good news. The actor in the altogether in The Temperamentals is Gregory…
In recent years, Lisa Fain’s blog, Homesick Texan, has provided fans in and out of the Lone Star state with the know-how to prepare authentic and delicious meals, all presented via her insightful prose and gorgeous photos. Now she has a book of all the best recipes and insights: The…
Many of our most brilliant artists and musicians are also among our most damaged; the very passions that inspire their works can also lead to deep depression, addiction or suicide. But not everyone accepts this as intractable or, worse, glorifies it. Friends and family members of “Frankie 45” Campagna and…
Almost 40 food trucks have the city permits needed to roll around Dallas serving up tacos, banh mi and the like, so isn’t it about time some of the city’s best-known trucks square off to see who’s really the best mobile munchies provider? Enter Ten for 10: Water for Africa’s…
Earlier this year, The Mixmaster, the Observer’s arts blog, took part in the 24-Video Race at the Angelika. The stay-up-all-night battle results in one super-fun weird piece of cinema. Feeling left out? Don’t. Now comes 48 Hours of Hell, which, surprisingly, does not involve sitting in a windowless room with…
The unfamiliar consider dance a scary thing anyway, so why not shake up expectations with a dance performance both original and modern, all the while ghoulishly delightful? That’s what Contemporary Ballet Dallas had in mind when it created Danse Macabre, a collection of themed performances from company dancers and guest…
Upon arrival at the Kessler last year for the inaugural Blues, Bandits & BBQ shindig, there was little doubt it would become an annual event. Sure enough, it’s back, this time at Lake Cliff Park (1200 N. Zang Blvd.). Enter the barbecue competition ($100 entry fee per team) to compete…
There may have been six flags over Texas, but the Lone Star state has attracted immigrants from even farther abroad, so it doesn’t seem right to stop the celebrations with Oktoberfest. Addison and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth host WorldFest, a two-day multi-ethnic festival featuring the groups representing…
