The Big Screen

The Big Screen: Oscar Predictions

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 22:17:02 +0000

Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in years with tight races in many of the major categories. This week, we conclude our Oscars preview series by picking some winners and thinking through how the show will work without a host.

The Big Screen: 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:15:42 +0000

"Bohemian Rhapsody" has earned more than $800 million worldwide, making it the highest grossing rock biopic of all time. And along the way, it's racked up five Academy Award nominations, including best picture. This week, we continue our Oscars preview series by talking with a rock critic about how the film captures the essence of Queen.

The Big Screen: The Story Behind 'Green Book'

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 15:37:08 +0000

The movie "Green Book" is nominated for five Oscars, including best picture, best actor (Viggo Mortensen) and best supporting actor (Mahershala Ali). This week, we talk about the film and the green book from which the movie gets its name with the curator of the Dallas Civil Rights Museum (who also happens to have once lived in a house listed in the book).

The Big Screen: 'The Favorite' Vs. History

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:39:31 +0000

In "The Favourite," a pair of attendants in the Court of Queen Anne battle it out for the monarch's attention. The film is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, and this week we continue our Oscars preview series by looking at how it depicts life in 18th Century England. Our guest is Kathleen Wellman, Dedman Family Distinguished Professor of History at SMU.

The Big Screen: A Baldwin Expert Breaks Down 'Beale Street'

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 23:25:04 +0000

"If Beale Street Could Talk" earned three Oscar nominations earlier this week. Barry Jenkins was one of the honorees for his adaptation of James Baldwin's novel, and this week, we launch our annual Academy Awards preview series by talking about the story from book to screen with Baldwin expert Kenton Rambsy, assistant professor of African American Literature & Digital Humanities at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The Big Screen: Denton Black Film Festival

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 22:50:53 +0000

Next week, the Denton Black Film Festival will show more than 60 films centered on the lives of African Americans. One of those films is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year: "Imitation of Life," the Douglas Sirk movie that earned two Oscar nominations in 1959. Joining us for a conversation about that film and the rest of the schedule are Linda Eaddy, director of film programming, and Walid Khaldi, who serves as the festival's historian.

The Big Screen: Best of Fests

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 23:07:54 +0000

Over the next four days, 22 North Texas film festivals are coming together to produce one mega festival to rule them all. It's called Best of Fests, and features films that played at festivals over the last year.

The Big Screen: Return To The '60s

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 21:59:42 +0000

The 1960s produced "The Graduate," "Psycho," "Bonnie and Clyde" and many other classics. This week, we talk with SMU film professor Rick Worland about how these films are often overshadowed by the decade that followed - and about how they continue to influence the films we see today. His new book is called "Searching for New Frontiers: Hollywood Films in the 1960s"(Wiley-Blackwell).

The Big Screen: Top Films of 2018

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 23:38:06 +0000

It's hard to find a consensus No. 1 movie of 2018. The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association (of which The Big Screen is a part) picked "A Star Is Born." The Big Screen went with "You Were Never Really Here" (Chris) and "The Favourite" (Stephen). And everything from "Roma" to "If Beale Street Could Talk" to "Black Panther" has topped other lists. So with that, here's our picks. Check out Dallas Morning News culture critic Chris Vognar's top movies of 2018. And find Stephen Becker's here.

The Big Screen: An Insider's Look At 'Roma'

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 23:15:31 +0000

"Roma," the new film from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, takes its title from the Mexico City neighborhood in which it is set. It's a part of town Alfredo Corchado knows well as the Mexico correspondent for The Dallas Morning News. This week he joins us for a conversation about how the film captures a slice of Mexican life.

The Big Screen: 'Man On Fire'

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 16:45:08 +0000

In 2014 a white, Methodist minister set himself on fire as a protest against racism in his home town of Grand Saline, about an hour east of Dallas. This week, we talk with Joel Fendelman, the director of a new documentary about the incident and how it's forced the town to reconcile its past and present.

"Man on Fire" begins streaming on PBS.org on Tuesday and will air on KERA-TV in January.

The Big Screen: 'Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland'

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 17:18:36 +0000

It's been three years since a traffic stop in Waller County, Texas, erupted into a physical confrontation between a white officer and black motorist and ended with her death while in custody. This week, we talk about a new documentary that tells the story of Sandra Bland's death and her family's search for justice.

"Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland" is currently airing on HBO.

The Big Screen: Talking 'Boy Erased' And Conversion Therapy

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 17:39:45 +0000

In "Boy Erased," a young, gay man is forced by his deeply religious parents into what's known as conversion therapy. Growing up in Oklahoma, Curtis Smith went through years of similar therapy before he was able to accept who he is. And today, he's pastor of Trinity Metropolitan Community Church in Grand Prairie, which serves the LGBT community. This week, Smith joins us to talk about how "Boy Erased" handles a practice that leaves some scarred for life.

The Big Screen: Texas Vets Talk Vietnam

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 15:26:11 +0000

In a new documentary, seven veterans mostly from Texas detail their experiences in Vietnam - from the draft to boot camp, battle and back home. This week, we talk with the editor of "The Mark of War," who searched through thousands of hours of footage from the war to tell a personal story of people who served. Humanities Texas hosts a free screening of the film Thursday night at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas.

The Big Screen: Lone Star Film Fesitval

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:46:32 +0000

The Lone Star Film Festival begins five days of films Wednesday in Fort Worth. And Gregory Beck is going to be busy. The Fort Worth director has not one but TWO shorts in the fest. His documentary "Buck 'Em" tells the story of a North Texas bullrider making a living on the rodeo circuit. And his narrative film "You're Served" centers on a process server with a unique sense of humor. Plan your festival going and report back on what you see.

The Big Screen: '1985'

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 21:10:34 +0000

In the film "1985," a young man returns home for the holidays burdened with how he'll tell his family that he's dying of AIDS. It's the latest from Austin resident and former North Texas director Yen Tan, who talks with us about how a story set in the past can inform the present. The film previously played at SXSW and the Dallas International Film Festival in the spring and opens at the Texas Theatre on Friday.

The Big Screen: 'Frankenstein' Gets A Score

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 22:23:16 +0000

When we watch horror movies, it's the creepy music that sets us up for the big scares. So it's notable that one of the original horror movies -- 1931's "Frankenstein" – doesn't have any music at all. That changes next week when the Dallas Winds perform a newly conceived score alongside the film. This week we talk about how music works to put us on edge with Jerry Junkin, who will conduct the score.

Big Screen: Modern Cinema Preview

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 15:28:50 +0000

Oct. 17-21, Moviegoers in Fort Worth will get an early look at some films that will soon be vying for Oscars. This week, we preview Modern Cinema, which runs through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Joining us is Christopher Kelly, the former Fort Worth Star-Telegram movie critic who curated the lineup.

The Big Screen: David Lowery On 'The Old Man And The Gun'

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 16:43:46 +0000

Robert Redford has said that his new movie, "The Old Man and the Gun," will be his last. And if that's true, it means a Dallas director will guide his final performance (which is getting great reviews, BTW). This week, we talk about the experience with the film's director, David Lowery.

The Big Screen: A Doc Breaks Down Cruz Vs. O'Rourke

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 20:48:03 +0000

Ted Cruz and challenger Beto O'Rourke are in the home stretch in their campaign for the U.S. Senate. And while many Texans have their minds made up, a new documentary is taking a nonpartisan look at the race to educate the undecided. This week, we talk with Steve Mims, director of "Run Like the Devil," which screens Oct. 12 as part of Docufest.

The Big Screen: A Local Producer Breaks Big

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 01:31:54 +0000

In the past few weeks, Dallas Sonnier pulled off an impressive feat by bringing his film "Dragged Across Concrete" to the Venice Film Festival and then turning around a week later and taking "The Standoff at Sparrow Creek" to the Toronto International Film Festival. The producer joins us to talk about sharing those films with the world - and about basing his production company, Cinestate, here in North Texas.

The Big Screen: Dance on Film

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 21:37:36 +0000

From "Singin' in the Rain" to "Saturday Night Fever," "Dirty Dancing" and "La La Land," dance has made its way into countless Hollywood classics. An event this weekend celebrates how these two art forms complement one another, which we talk about with Danielle Georgiou, whose short film and choreography will be featured.

The Big Screen: Frame Of Mind 2018

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:58:17 +0000

Artist Frank Reaugh lived and worked in Dallas through the first half of the 20th Century. And his pictures of longhorn steers roaming the landscape helped to define Texas at the time. This week, we talk about Reaugh's legacy, the subject of the documentary "Frank Reaugh: Pastel Poet of the Texas Plains." It airs Thursday night at 10 p.m. on KERA-TV as part of the new season of Frame of Mind, curated by Bart Weiss, who joins us for the conversation.

The Big Screen: 'Madeline's Madeline'

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 15:50:12 +0000

For the last decade, Josephine Decker has made the festival circuit with her short films and documentaries (we first talked with her at SXSW way back in 2009). And now, with her third feature - called "Madeline's Madeline," she's getting the attention of major critics and earning raves in the process. This week, we talk with the Highland Park native about her big break - and about her next project starring Elizabeth Moss.

The Big Screen: Ethan Hawke Talks 'Blaze'

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 18:20:22 +0000

Blaze Foley is a name only diehard music lovers are familiar with. But if you're a fan of Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt or John Prine, you're a fan of Foley's. A new movie about the Austin singer-songwriter's life opens this weekend, and we sat down with its writer, director and native Texan, Ethan Hawke to talk about it.

The Big Screen: 'Hillbilly'

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 02:07:31 +0000

Appalachia is seen as one of the keys to President Trump's 2016 victories. And since then, scholars and historians have turned their attention to the often overlooked region. Appalachia and the stereotypes about it are explored in a new documentary called "Hillbilly" playing the Women Texas Film Festival, and this week, we talk with Justina Walford, the fest's artistic director.

"Hillbilly" screens Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at the Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley and will be followed by a Q&A with director Ashley York.

The Big Screen: 'Never Goin' Back'

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:18:44 +0000

In the "Never Goin' Back," a pair of hard-partying teenage girls dream of hitting the beach. Instead, their lives are consumed with keeping their heads above water as they struggle to make rent. The film has made the rounds on the festival circuit, debuting at Sundance before slots at SXSW and the Oak Cliff Film Festival. It's collected some nice reviews along the way. And now, it's finally out. This week, we talk with Augustine Frizzell, its Dallas-based director, about telling a story she once lived.

The Big Screen: 'From Nowhere: The Story Of The Vaughan Brothers'

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:19:17 +0000

Guitar players the world over idolize Stevie Ray Vaughan. But the guitar player he idolized was his big brother, Jimmie. The Oak Cliff natives are the subject of a new documentary called "From Nowhere: The Story of the Vaughan Brothers," and this week we talk with director Kirby Warnock, who covered the duo from their earliest days through their rise to fame. His film screens Thursday and Friday night at the Texas Theatre, just blocks from where they grew up.

The Big Screen 'Santos Vive'

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 14:58:48 +0000

Santos Rodriguez was just 12 years old when he was murdered in the backseat of a Dallas Police car. A new documentary called "Santos Vive" marks the 45 anniversary of that day, and this week we talk with its director, Byron Hunter. For more on efforts to memorialize Santos, take a listen to KERA's Stella Chavez's report from earlier this week.

The Big Screen: Asian Film Fest Preview

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:06:54 +0000

Every year, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas shows selections from Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. This year's festival looks beyond those traditional hotbeds, by including a movie from Kashmir. We preview this year's event, which also includes the repertory favorites "Tokyo Drifter and "Yi Yi."

The Big Screen: The Media In The Movies

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:41:03 +0000

"Broadcast News" earned 7 Oscar nominations for its portrayal of the inner-workings of a television newsroom. The movie is part of a local series that looks at how the media is portrayed on screen, and this week we talk about how "Broadcast News" is one of the few that gets it right.

The Big Screen: All-Time Texas Movies

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 21:43:11 +0000

The Houston Chronicle has published a new list of the greatest Texas movies of all time. And if you were expecting, say, "Giant" or "The Last Picture Show" at the top … you're in for a surprise. This week, we look at the list with one of the critics who put it together.

The Big Screen: African Film Fest Preview

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:01:48 +0000

The Nigerian film industry – known as Nollywood – is the established hub of the African film world. This weekend, though, North Texas audiences will get a chance to see movies made in Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda and other countries across the continent. This week, we preview the African Film Festival.

The Big Screen: 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 16:10:28 +0000

One of the most important figures in the history of public television is the subject of a new documentary. This week, we talk about the life and times of Fred Rogers and the film "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

The Big Screen: Oak Cliff Film Festival

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:05:13 +0000

This week, there are opportunities to see a documentary about a rock 'n' roll legend -- and a film from the 1920s accompanied by a live orchestra. They're playing at the 7th Oak Cliff Film Festival, and we talk about 'em with the team that programmed this year's event

The Big Screen: The MPAA's Diversity Czar

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 16:26:41 +0000

The movie industry is under pressure – both from the public and from within – to become a more-inclusive place. This week, while in town for the recent BookExpo America event in New York City, we grabbed some time with John Gibson, head of the Motion Picture Association of America's diversity and inclusion initiative, to talk about making movies that tell everyone's story.

The Big Screen: The Asian Film Power That Calls Plano Home

Wed, 30 May 2018 16:48:50 +0000

One of the country's major distributors of Asian films is based in Plano. This week, we talk with Doris Pfardrescher, head of Well Go USA Entertainment, about turning a company that began as a dealer of karaoke discs into a major player in the Asian film world.

The Big Screen: Summer Preview

Wed, 23 May 2018 21:14:07 +0000

If you prefer your hot summers inside the cool air conditioning of a movie theater, there are plenty of good options heading your way. This week, we preview the summer slate - including a slew of North Texas film festivals. And we check in on "Solo," which opens this week.

The Big Screen: Home Movies And Texas History

Wed, 16 May 2018 20:14:33 +0000

This weekend, North Texas residents will have the opportunity to have their home movies digitized - and contribute to the state's archives. This week, we talk with the organizer of Spotlight on North Texas about how what's on your old VHS tapes and Super 8 film could help to preserve the area's history.

The Big Screen: The Return of Bone Thugs N Harmony

Thu, 03 May 2018 21:40:02 +0000

In the mid-1990s, Bone Thugs N Harmony was one of the biggest acts in hip hop, with hits like "The Crossroads" and "1st of tha Month." A new documentary about the group called "Sons of St. Clair" plays the Dallas International Film Festival, and we talk about it with its director.

The Big Screen: DIFF Preview

Tue, 01 May 2018 16:38:48 +0000

The Dallas International Film Festival begins its eight-day run May 3. We preview this year's lineup, which includes a documentary about a man who changed the face of public television. Joining us is DIFF artistic director James Faust.

The Big Screen: 'Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story'

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 20:17:00 +0000

Kevyn Aucoin applied lipstick to Cindy Crawford's lips, blush to Janet Jackson's cheeks and mascara to Barbra Streisand's eyelashes. The go-to makeup artist of the 1990s is the subject of a new documentary playing at the USA Film Festival, and this week we talk about his life and work with Dallas supermodel Chandra North, who sat in his chair on many occasions.

"Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story" plays Friday night at 7 at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas.

The Big Screen: Thin Line Preview

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:53:00 +0000

Denton's annual Thin Line Fest plays documentaries in an effort to examine the "thin line" between fact and fiction. The festival also features photography and music, and this week we preview the film component with its programmer.

The Big Screen: Earth X Film

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:58:49 +0000

More than 60 films covering a range of environmental issues will screen in Dallas starting Friday. This week we preview the event with the artistic director of Earth X Film.

The Big Screen: Peele, Coogler, DuVernay ... And You?

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 21:03:00 +0000

A filmmaking competition is trying to encourage young, black directors to develop their skills. It's called Gentleman Jack Real to Reel, and it's open to black filmmakers 21 and up. Screenings of the finalists will happen in six cities - including Dallas (date TBA) - and the winner earns $10,000 to further his or her career. All the details on entering are at the contest's website. This week, we talked with spokesman Omari Hardwick (of the Starz series "Power") about how making short films is often the first step toward Hollywood.

The Big Screen: 'Isle Of Dogs'

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:01:04 +0000

Houston native Wes Anderson is known for making quaint, lighthearted films in which the stakes are really never high enough to make the audience sweat. His signature style permeates "Isle of Dogs," Anderson's return to stop-motion animation. This week we talk about how Anderson's aesthetic translates to Japan - and about the line between appreciation and appropriation.

The Big Screen: Feminism On Film

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 19:34:40 +0000

As the women's liberation movement picked up steam in the early 1970s, so too did a wave a feminist filmmakers. This weekend, a selection of those films will play in Richardson, and we talk with its curator, UT-Dallas assistant professor of film and aesthetic studies Shilyh Warren. "Women and the Movies They Make" screens Sunday at the noon at the Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson.

The Big Screen: The Media In The Movies

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 21:33:16 +0000

For decades, newsrooms have provided dramatic backgrounds for screenwriters. This week, we talk about a new screening series focusing on how the media is represented in the movies. It's curated by our own Chris Vognar and will screen monthly at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. Up first is 1952's "Park Row," directed by Samuell Fuller - a newspaper man before he became a filmmaker. Other films in the series include "Ace in the Hole," "All the President's Men," "Broadcast News," "Network" and "Shattered Glass."

The Big Screen: Bergman At 100

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:40:52 +0000

One hundred years ago, one of history's most influential filmmakers was born not in Hollywood or New York, but Sweden. This week, we talk about the work of Ingmar Bergman, which is the subject of a retrospective showing at the Texas Theatre.

The Big Screen: And The Winners Will Be ...

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:07:21 +0000

Last year's Academy Awards featured one of the most dramatic moments in the show's history when best picture was incorrectly awarded to "La La Land" before rightfully being given to "Moonlight." We conclude our Oscars preview with a look at who we think will be taking home trophies on Sunday.

The Big Screen: 'Get Out' A Year Later

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:32:03 +0000

Films that open early in the year are rarely remembered at the end of the year by Oscar voters. "Get Out" is an exception, earning four nominations – including best picture. We continue our Oscars preview series with a look at the film's lasting appeal -- and how it relates to the success of "Black Panther." Joining us for the conversation is Kenton Rambsy, assistant professor of African American Literature & Digital Humanities at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The Big Screen: 'Dunkirk' and 'Darkest Hour'

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:34:23 +0000

Movies about British history are catnip for Oscar voters. "The King's Speech," "Atonement," "The Queen" and "The Imitation Game" are just a few recent best picture nominees. We continues its Oscars preview with a conversation about a pair of hopefuls this year connected by one of the towering figures of 20^th Century Britain … Winston Churchill.

The Big Screen: 'Phantom Thread'

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 16:29:27 +0000

"Phantom Thread" is up for six Academy Awards this year, including best picture. We continue our Oscars preview with a conversation about how the film captured the world of haute couture. Joining us is Myra Walker, professor emeritus in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas and the former curator and director of the Texas Fashion Collection.

The Big Screen: 'Loving Vincent'

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 16:26:41 +0000

Over the next month, we're previewing the Academy Awards with a look at some of the nominated films. Up this week is a conversation with Nicole Myers, the Lillian and James H. Clark Curator of European Painting and Sculpture at the Dallas Museum of Art, about "Loving Vincent" - one of the most innovative animated films in years.

The Big Screen: 'I, Tonya'

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:01:54 +0000

Over the next few weeks, we'll be talking about some of this year's Oscar-nominated films, which were announced this week. Up first is a conversation about "I, Tonya" with Dallas Morning News sports reporter Kevin Sherrington, who was on the scene in Detroit the day Nancy Kerrigan was attacked.

The Big Screen: Mountainfilm

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 23:00:13 +0000

A festival of short films focusing on the outdoors screens Thursday and Friday in Dallas. This week, we talk with the director of Mountainfilm about using movies to take audiences on real-life adventures.

The Big Screen: A Dallas Director Takes Sundance

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:01:33 +0000

Every year, careers are launched at the Sundance Film Festival. Think Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson. This week, we talk with Augustine Frizzell, who just might join that list this year with her debut feature, "Never Goin' Back," which she shot in North Texas.

The Big Screen: 'The Post'

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 21:26:23 +0000

In "The Post," Tom Hanks plays legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. He's desperately trying to convince the paper's publisher – played by Meryl Streep – to print The Pentagon Papers, which detail how the government lied about the Vietnam War. This week, we talk with the editor of The Dallas Morning News about the many journalistic questions explored in the film.

The Big Screen: 2018 Preview

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:08:06 +0000

Directors Wes Anderson, Robert Rodriguez, Richard Linklater and David Lowery all hail from Texas. And each has a new movie out in 2018. This week, we preview a very Texas-centric year in the movies.

The Big Screen: The Year In Movies

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 19:27:33 +0000

For many moviegoers, the holidays are a time to catch up on films you've missed. To help you out, this week we talk about the best movies of 2017.

The Big Screen: 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 21:33:18 +0000

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is easily the most anticipated movie of 2017. And it's expected to ring up about $200 million in ticket sales on opening weekend. We've seen the film, but don't worry: No spoilers here - just a conversation about why it all works so well.

The Big Screen: The Shape of Water

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 23:26:12 +0000

"The Shape of Water" - the latest from visionary director Guillermo del Toro - features a monster who's good and humans who're the bad guys. This week, we talk about the history of sympathetic monsters - everyone from Frankenstein to the Creature from the Black Lagoon - with SMU film professor Rick Worland.

The Big Screen: 'Truth: 24 Frames Per Second'

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 14:47:56 +0000

At the Dallas Museum of Art, two large galleries are filled not with paintings or sculpture, but with video screens. The exhibition is called "Truth: 24 Frames Per Second," and this week, we talk about the show with Anna Katherine Brodbeck, the Nancy and Tim Hanley Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the DMA.

The Big Screen: Holiday Movie Preview

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 18:01:48 +0000

After a day at home surrounded by family … you might be ready to get out of the house. Well, you're in luck. This week, we recommend a few movies to see this weekend, as well as a few to look forward to.

The Big Screen: 'Last Flag Flying'

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 17:38:34 +0000

In the new film "Last Flag Flying," Steve Carell plays a Vietnam veteran whose son – a Marine – is killed in Iraq. On his way to retrieve his son's remains, he pays a visit to a couple of old military buddies in hopes that they might offer support on the trip. The film is the latest from Richard Linklater, who we talked with recently about patriotism and the timing of war movies.

The Big Screen: Lone Star Film Fest Preview

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 18:33:18 +0000

The Lone Star Film Festival opens Thursday in Fort Worth. And this year's event includes several films with Fort Worth ties. This week, we look at the lineup with the festival's executive director, Chad Matthews.

The Big Screen: VideoFest Preview

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 20:24:34 +0000

In years past, Dallas VideoFest featured more than a hundred movies stretched out over a week. This year's slate, though, includes only a few dozen shown over this weekend. This week, we talk with VideoFest artistic director Bart Weiss about creating a leaner, more focused fest.

The Big Screen: The History Of Movie Musicals

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 20:57:51 +0000

The first feature-length film of the sound era was 1927's "The Jazz Singer." And ever since, Hollywood has produced a steady stream of musicals. This week, we talk with SMU film professor Sean Griffin about the enduring popularity of musical films. His new book is called "Free and Easy?: A Defining History of the American Film Musical Genre" (Wiley-Blackwell).

The Big Screen: The Eyeslicer Roadshow

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 21:19:26 +0000

Short films offer budding directors a chance to learn their craft and established filmmakers an opportunity to play. This week, we talk about this under-appreciated segment of movies with a creator of The Eyeslicer Roadshow, a short film program coming to the Texas Theatre.

The Big Screen: DocuFest

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:01:38 +0000

DocuFest - the documentary wing of VideoFest - opens Thursday night in Dallas. To get you ready, we preview a pair of films that focus on the arts. "Dare to be Different" (Thursday at 9:15 p.m.) looks at an influential radio station that helped to popularize Depeche Mode, Blondie, Pet Shop Boys and other early '80s acts. And "Ex Libris: New York Public Library" (Saturday at 11 a.m.) is legendary documentarian Frederick Wiseman's look at one of the world's largest library systems.

The Big Screen: Film + Music Conference

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:52:58 +0000

A conference in Fort Worth this weekend is getting filmmakers from across the world together to share tips on everything from how to light a set to how to use music in a movie. This week, we talk with the founder of the Film + Music Conference about how the event came together - and about showcasing Fort Worth to people who might film there.

The Big Screen: 'Stronger'

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 16:20:31 +0000

Richardson native David Gordon Green is best known for directing "Pineapple Express" and other broad comedies. With his new film, "Stronger," he returns to his more dramatic roots in telling the story of a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing. This week, we talk about the film - and about Green's evolution as a director. "Stronger" opens on Friday.

The Big Screen: A 40-Year Filmmaking Partnership

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 21:44:17 +0000

Dallasites Cynthia and Allen Mondell have been married for nearly 48 years. And for most of that time, they've made films together. A retrospective of their documentaries airs tonight on KERA-TV, and they sit down to talk about their partnership on this week's edition of The Big Screen.

The Big Screen: Venice Film Fest

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 22:30:57 +0000

The crowds at the Venice Film Festival are getting the first look at some of the most important films of 2017. One half of our Big Screen team -Chris Vognar - is taking in the scene, and he takes a break from the glitz and glamour to check in.

The Big Screen: Fall Movie Preview

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 13:57:23 +0000

This fall, a pair of high-profile Texas directors - David Gordon Green and Richard Linklater - will release new films that could get the attention of Oscar voters. Green's up first with "Stronger," starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff Bauman, a man who lost both of his legs during the Boston Marathon bombing. Meanwhile, Linklater gathers Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburn and Bryan Cranston for "Last Flag Flying." It tells the story of a grieving father (Carell) who goes on a road trip to retrieve the remains of his killed in action in Iraq. This week, we preview those films and take a sneak peek at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, which one of our team members will be attending.

The Big Screen: 'What Carter Lost'

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:23:19 +0000

In 1998, Carter High School's football team dominated the competition on the way to a state title. And then, that title was taken away. This week, we talk about Carter's fall from grace with Adam Hootnick, director of 'What Carter Lost,' the new ESPN documentary about the team. The film airs Thursday night at 8:30.

The Big Screen: 'Do The Right Thing'

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 21:18:58 +0000

In his 1989 film "Do the Right Thing," Spike Lee captured a day in the life in a historically black Brooklyn neighborhood. And his story of racial tension and gentrification is just as relevant nearly 30 years after its debut. This week, we talk about the movie with Brandon Harris, author of "Making Rent in Bed-Stuy: A Memoir of Trying to Make It in New York City." He's showing the film and talking about his book this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Texas Theatre.

The Big Screen: Horror Classics

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:56:20 +0000

A new series is bringing some of Hollywood's scariest movies back for one-night-only screenings. And it's hosted by our own Chris Vognar! This week, we talk about the movies and why they're worth visiting the theater – even if we're afraid of the dark.

The Big Screen: Women Texas Film Fest

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 21:46:11 +0000

The highest-grossing films of the summer - Wonder Woman – was made by a woman – Patty Jenkins. And this month, an entire festival of movies made by women is coming to Dallas. This week we preview the Women Texas Film Festival with its artistic director, Justin Walford. The Women Texas Film Festival runs August 16-20 at Studio Movie Grill in Dallas. Details are at artandseek.org.

The Big Screen: Surf Meets Dance

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 22:43:23 +0000

Big wave surfers are athletic, have incredible balance and practice for years to reach the top of their sport. Those traits are also common among dancers. This week, we talk with Emilie Skinner, artistic director of Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet, whose latest work is inspired by surf culture and classic movies that tap into that culture. The company performs a pair of pieces before a screening of the seminal surf documentary "The Endless Summer" on Sunday at the Texas Theat

The Big Screen: A Story Of Life After Prison

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:31:11 +0000

A new web series follows a young woman struggling to re-enter society after prison. This week, we talk with Ya'Ke Smith about the many real-life sources he pulled from to make "The Beginning and Ending of Everything." You can stream the first two episodes of on the show's Facebook page. Episode 3 is out Friday.

The Big Screen: Asian Film Festival Of Dallas

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:55:54 +0000

The Asian Film Festival of Dallas begins its weeklong run Thursday night. And the 70 films on this year's schedule are the most it's ever had. This week, we get a preview from the event's programmer, David Gibson.

The Big Screen: David Lowery Talks 'A Ghost Story'

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 15:38:22 +0000

Dallas director David Lowery broke big last summer with his remake of the Disney classic "Pete's Dragon." For his new film, he returns to his indie roots to tell a story of a ghost revisiting his former life. This week, we talk with him about that film, called "A Ghost Story."

The Big Screen: African Film Festival Preview

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:14:48 +0000

This weekend's African Film Festival will show films from nearly 20 countries. This week, we preview the Dallas event with its executive director.

The Big Screen: 'From The Ashes'

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:06:00 +0000

A new documentary looks at the coal industry's role as both job provider and air polluter. This week, we talk with a pair of Dallas women featured in the film "From the Ashes," which screens Thursday night at 6 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas and will also air Sunday on National Geographic Channel.

The Big Screen: 50 Years Of 'Monterey Pop'

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 21:53:20 +0000

Fifty years ago this weekend, some of the biggest names in music - including Janis Joplin, The Who and Jimi Hendrix - gathered for a three-day concert in Monterey, Calif. This week, we look back at the influential documentary that captured some of the most memorable performances in rock history.

The Big Screen: Oak Cliff Film Fest Preview

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 02:48:37 +0000

More than 60 feature films and shorts will play this week's Oak Cliff Film Festival. This week, we preview the event with one of its founders and North Texas director David Lowery, who's showing his newest film this weekend. Visit artandseek.org for picks for this year's fest.

The Big Screen: Summer Preview

Wed, 31 May 2017 21:38:29 +0000

When the calendar turns to June, the action on movie screens heats up. This week, we talk about a pair of high-brow directors who should be making big splashes this summer.

The Big Screen: 'Chasing Trane'

Wed, 24 May 2017 21:12:15 +0000

John Coltrane is arguably the most revered saxophone player who ever lived. A new documentary called "Chasing Trane" looks at the jazz innovator's short but inspired life. This week, we talk about the film with Brad Leali, who teaches jazz saxophone at the University of North Texas.

The Big Screen: 'Burden'

Wed, 17 May 2017 21:04:30 +0000

Chris Burden was a performance artist and sculptor whose work questioned the very nature of art. A new documentary about Burden opens this weekend at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and this week we talk about the artist's significance with a curator from the Dallas Museum of Art - which has a Burden sculpture in its collection.

The Big Screen: The Life Of Jeremiah Tower

Wed, 03 May 2017 16:18:54 +0000

In the 1980s, Jeremiah Tower was one of the most famous chefs in America and helped create today's celebrity chef culture. A new film explores his pioneering approach to food that still resonates in restaurants today. This week, we talk about "Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent" with Leslie Brenner, restaurant critic for The Dallas Morning News.

The Big Screen: Nancy Cartwright Talks Writing - And, Of Course, Bart

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 22:08:22 +0000

For 30 years, Nancy Cartwright has voiced Bart Simpsons on "The Simpsons." For her latest project, though, she puts down the mic and pics up the pen. This week, we talk with Cartwright about "In Search of Fellini" - a film she wrote that shows Friday at 7 p.m. during this week's USA Film Festival. And she lets us listen in on a conversation between Bart, Nelson and Ralph.

The Big Screen: EARTH x Film

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 22:13:25 +0000

A new festival dedicated to environmental films debuts this weekend in Dallas. This week, we talk with its founder about using film as a call to action

The Big Screen: Thin Line Fest

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 21:39:38 +0000

Denton's Thin Line Festival has always centered on documentary films. For its 10^th edition, though, the festival is branching out. We talk with its film programmer about adding narrative movies to the mix.

The Big Screen: DIFF Preview

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:47:14 +0000

The Dallas International Film Festival wraps up this weekend. This week, we look at what's on tap for the remainder of the festival with its artistic director, James Faust.

The Big Screen: A Chat With Robert Benton

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:52:50 +0000

Robert Benton is the winner of three Academy Awards for writing and directing Kramer vs. Kramer and Places in the Heart. This week, our Big Screen team talks with the Waxahachie native, who's in town to open the Dallas International Film Festival with the first movie he ever wrote – Bonnie and Clyde.

The Big Screen: Michael Irvin On Sports Movies

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 22:07:09 +0000

Former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin has maintained a public profile in retirement as an analyst for the NFL Network and even a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars." This week, we talk with him about "Slamma Jamma," a movie out Friday in which he plays a smarmy sports agent. And we ask him about some of his favorite sports movies.

The Big Screen: SXSW Film In Review

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:38:54 +0000

At this week's South by Southwest Conference, a number of movies with local ties made their debuts. Our recap includes conversations with some of the North Texas stars of those films, including Wyatt Cenac and Todrick Hall.

The Big Screen: Texas on Film

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 16:39:22 +0000

Some of the most iconic stories in movie history have been set in Texas. This week, we talk about an upcoming screening series that brings these films back to a pair of historic Dallas theaters.

The Big Screen: DFW South Asian Film Fest

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 22:45:19 +0000

South Asia is home to one of the biggest film industries in the world. And this weekend, some of those films will make their way to North Texas. This week, we preview the DFW South Asian Film Festival.