Film Fest Madness

Oak Cliff Film Festival 2014 blends new and old with a wheels-off twist

The Oak Cliff Film Festival has released the schedule of films for its upcoming third edition in June, and it's a list that will honor both the future and past of filmmaking.

Taking place June 19-22 at multiple locations in Oak Cliff, the festival includes 22 feature-length films, six short film showcases and a concert by experimental multimedia group Negativland.

Among the headlining films is an opening-night screening that's vaguely referred to as "the Texas Premiere of a new film produced by Sailor Bear Productions/Toby Halbrooks, James Johnston and David Lowery."

A screening of Wild Canaries atop Jefferson Tower is preceded by a bike ride sponsored by Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and New Belgium Brewery.

Anyone who knows his way around IMDb can surmise that this will almost certainly be Listen Up Philip, a film directed by Alex Ross Perry and starring Krysten Ritter, Elisabeth Moss and Jason Schwartzman. The film premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.

Also on the docket is the Sidney Lumet/Al Pacino classic Dog Day Afternoon, directly followed by the new documentary The Dog, which delves into the life of John Wojtowicz, the inspiration for Pacino's character.

Other noteworthy films include To Be Takei, a documentary about the eventful life of Star Trek's George Takei; a 30th anniversary screening of Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads documentary Stop Making Sense; and the Texas premiere of Michel Gondry's new film, Mood Indigo.

Most of the screenings take place at Texas Theatre. Additional screening locations include Bishop Arts Theatre Center, The Kessler, Oil and Cotton and one special screening on top of Jefferson Tower.

That screening is preceded by a bike ride sponsored by Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and New Belgium Brewery. Riders take a two-wheeled adventure across North Oak Cliff, culminating in a free rooftop screening of Wild Canaries.

Tickets for most films are $10 per person and can be purchased online on the Oak Cliff Film Festival website.

Star Trek's George Takei is the subject of To Be Takei , which is having its Texas premiere at the Oak Cliff Film Festival.

Photo by Angela George

Star Trek's George Takei is the subject of To Be Takei , which is having its Texas premiere at the Oak Cliff Film Festival.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Dallas neighbor named No. 1 affordable place to live and more top stories

Photo courtesy of City of McKinney

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Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week kicks off with a new ranking of affordable places to live. Plus, where to drink in Dallas right now and a big celebrity visit that's on the horizon. Catch up on our five most popular Dallas stories below, and then plan some weekend fun via this guide.

1. North Dallas neighbor ranks as No. 1 most affordable city in U.S. A Dallas suburb has landed on top of a new list of the most affordable places to live. McKinney ranked No. 1 based on its relative cost of living and high median household income.

2. 2 Dallas steakhouses proclaimed among the best in the world. Two Dallas steakhouses have been honored in a new global ranking of the 101 Best Steakhouses in the World: Nuri Steakhouse and Knife.

3. Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 happy hours and specials for May. There's a little twist in this installment of Where to Drink. In addition to a new menu and plenty of cocktails, the list includes an interesting new (non-alcoholic) milkshake happy hour.

Apothecary has a new menu as part of its "Drinking through the Decades" series.Photo courtesy of Apothecary

4. Mom-and-pop Asian chain from Austin makes Dallas debut in McKinney. A small Asian chain from Austin has entered the Dallas market. Fire Bowl Cafe has opened its first DFW location in McKinney.

5. Tom Cruise to make Dallas BBQ stop while on Mission Impossible tour. Hollywood legend Tom Cruise is coming to Dallas to eat barbecue, while on a quick Texas tour to promote the latest chapter of his smash film franchise Mission Impossible.