Anthropomorphizing its animal stars to a borderline dubious degree, Disneynature’s nonfiction African Cats situates itself in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, where two four-legged mothers valiantly struggle to provide for and protect their young. On the northern side of the river that divides this gorgeous but pitiless land lives aging…
When charged with making a documentary about a subject whose work is far more interesting than his life, how does a filmmaker proceed? If you’re Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, directors of American: The Bill Hicks Story, a portrait of the acerbic stand-up comic who died of pancreatic cancer in…
Tender irony and dark humor abound in The Human Resources Manager, Israeli director Eran Riklis’ latest account of bureaucracy colliding with burgeoning compassion. This follow-up to 2008’s Lemon Tree, based on the novel A Woman in Jerusalem by A.B. Yehoshua, hits the road when the restless personnel director (Mark Ivanir)…
“I’m going to need you to go ahead and come in on Saturday…” Bust out that phrase and just about everyone knows exactly what immortal flick you are quoting. Even worse, a good portion of those people live Office Space (ding, ding, ding!) over and over again in their daily…
If you’ve still got your Pearl Jam poster tacked on the wall and the nicest piece of furniture you own is a futon, welcome to the club. We’re no experts when it comes modern furniture, but we do know those fancy egg-shaped chairs crafted by European designers with unpronounceable names…
The tulips are sprouting, and the weather is perfect for a quiet afternoon outside. The Dallas Arboretum presents a month-long celebration of spring with food, tea and an endless array of colorful flowers. Guests can enjoy a three-course meal featuring Manchego broccoli bisque, tea sandwiches, cupcakes and a tasty tea…
It’s that time of year again — when rabbits hide eggs and kids go on wild goose chases to find them, getting hopped up on chocolate and little bunny-shaped sugar bombs. This year, head on over to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary to celebrate Easter — every…
At most Easter egg hunts, the best snack is a chocolate bunny. Not so at Mi Piaci’s, which features a brunch with menu items like high-end omelets, farm-fresh fruits and veggies, prime rib and leg of lamb along with the house-made pastas that the restaurant is known for. The younger…
Do you see potential in your wastebasket? Couldn’t that bag of empty cans and spent paper towel rolls stack up to more than garbage? Maybe — if arranged just right — it could be a sculpture…or at least something for the kids to do for a few minutes. In addition…
This region has its fair share of 5Ks. And of those, there are many with charitable ties. But unbeknownst (probably) to many, there is a 5K that benefits strong women, or those just learning of their strength: the Victory Over Violence 5K. This 5K run/walk is in its 15th year…
Children, with their unfettered egos, often confound adults. It’s an odd notion, since we all used to be kids — no matter how long ago. Philosopher and father of four Ralph Waldo Emerson once noted, “A child is a curly dimpled lunatic.” Considering he stuck two of his sons with…
Before the Earth rips apart from a fiery blast of atomic flame in December 2012, there’ll be a couple more days of inspiring Earth Day festivities in downtown Dallas. Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Pearl and Flora streets will light up with music, short films and food in honor of…
It’s about time for another freaky weekend in Dallas. No, it’s not Halloween, but this is pretty darn close. With fire throwers, nail beds and a few guys sticking needles in just about every part of their bodies, the Third Annual Allen Falkner’s Freak and Fetish Suscon Opening Party is…
While watching Jackass 3D a couple weeks ago, it occurred to us that it really is a miracle all of those guys are still alive–especially Steve-O. Not only has he performed many of the most perilous Jackass stunts; he’s also battled some personal demons and Johnny Law on more than…
Come on, dudes, it’s the Muppets — getting into great capers of treasure, sword-fighting and Christmas carols. On April 22 and 23 witness as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and sweet banana-nosed Gonzo travel to Tinseltown for The Muppet Movie showing at Landmark Theatres’ Inwood Midnights. And midnight Kermit is…
Sunday night wouldn’t be complete without a secret ingredient, two dueling chefs and a host who is frighteningly flexible for a cooking show. Now Iron Chef fans will finally get a chance to taste and smell competition Wednesday as the Observer hosts Iron Fork, our first-ever cooking showdown featuring two…
You may think that plot twists, themes of forgery and a storyline that confounds the ideas of time and reality are the makings of an action film akin to Inception, but you would be wrong. Films that keep you guessing are often action-packed, but this is the description of a…
When a local crime boss (Kevin Bacon) lures away his wife (Liv Tyler), lifelong pushover Frank (Rainn Wilson)—under the influence of a bizarre Christian kids’ TV show and a sci-fi-style encounter with something like God—starts to make himself over into a real-life superhero. On discovering that the weird guy who…
Art appreciation is about more than just quietly enjoying the classics. As the world changes, so does the art of the times, and there’s no better way to get a look at the past, present and future than by checking out what (and why) art is created today. Take, for…
If you’ve seen the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird then you’ve seen some of famed playwright Horton Foote’s greatest handiwork. Texas-born, Foote is best known for the screenplay, but he was a genius in his own right, as shown in his many plays set in that specific Southern…
Ripe, bare breasts, broad shoulders, protruding muscles and naked rear ends are on display like a powerful portrait. The human figure is a beautiful artistic piece. Standing tall, man and woman are a composite painting of rouges, peaches, pinks, browns, yellows and golds. They stand on stage completely stripped of…
Most of the time, when an artist tells you his work is “about light,” what he really means is that he’s too busy to deal with your stupid questions, and maybe you should try figuring things out for yourself for a change. Not at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary this week,…
