Wiley Wiggins (left) and Patrick Riester in Computer Chess

Austin director Andrew Bujalski's latest film, Computer Chess, is a radical departure from his previous works, Mutual Appreciation, Funny Ha Ha and Beeswax. It centers around a computer chess tournament at a hotel in 1980, and was filmed on black and white Sony AVC-3260 video cameras from 1968, giving it a spectral veneer. When the film screened in March at SXSW, Bujalski referenced William Eggleston's video work around Memphis in the '70s as an influence.

The script was heavily improvised by a cast that features actors, computer programmers and, for good measure, a film critic (Gerald Peary). They wander the halls of the hotel, trying to keep their machines from malfunctioning while pondering bigger philosophical questions. For all its ancient tech-speak, there is something profound about the film, and the different rooms these people inhabit, which mirror our own contemporary online lives.

As part of this weekend's Oak Cliff Film Festival, UT Dallas chess program director James Stallings will be at Texas Theatre on Saturday, after the 3:30 p.m. screening of Computer Chess, along with chess master John Jacobs, and UTD players Marko Zivanic and Valentin Yotov. They'll talk about the film and chess in general, and there will be matches in the lobby before and after the screening. What did Stallings think of Bujalski's film?

More »

"There is an intimacy to just hearing someone's voice," Glass said while the entire stage was dark. No one could see him, but the iPad screen bouncing around the stage indicated that he was pacing.

"I tried to convince the Winspear to let me do the whole show like this," Glass said. "They said maybe you should try it when you're in Fort Worth." Apparently the Dallas-Fort Worth divide reminds him of dealing with Israelis and Palestinians. "I'm surprised you guys don't have checkpoints."

More »

It's tough being a coin-op addict in 2013. Despite being the nation's No. 1 resale hub for the things, most of Dallas' pinball machines are preserved in the caring homes of collectors, rather than in the corners of bars and laundromats. For 51 weekends of each year, that is a heartbreaking fact of life. But for one glorious three-day span, the whole world becomes infinitely more beautiful as the city goes multiball. That's right: The Texas Pinball Festival is back!

This year's thrill-a-thon moves even closer to our fingertips, setting up camp at the Hilton Anatole from Friday through Sunday. There, you'll find tournament play, workshops and most importantly -- bro down time with your favorite dear friends, all set on "free play."

Pinball enthusiasts are kind-hearted, honorable people, so they've offered us a pair of day passes to give away. Winning them is easy: Go to the Mixmaster Facebook page and like us, then write the name of your favorite pinball machine on our wall. (If you already like us, just leave the note.) I'll pick a number and do a match.

This contest shuts down at noon on Thursday, March 13, so move those fingers faster than the triple multiball speed round of Black Knight 2000, y'all. And good luck!

Considering Dallas' bustling burlesque schedule, it takes a lot to surprise us. Tarantino-themed productions? Been done. All male revue? Happened last week. Variety shows with disrobing chainsaw jugglers and fire swallowing? The Kessler, two Saturdays ago.

And still, the niche market of Nerdlesque remained untapped until Thursday evening. What transpired resembled a quirkily raw Comic Con afterparty, with ladies donning less conventional fantasy gear -- like a mascot Ms. PacMan, Hogwarts faculty member and assorted footnotes from graphic novels past.

Should Nerdlesque produce a sequel, here's a few costume ideas:
That crazy building from Blade Runner
Carl Sagan's eyebrows, a fan show
Vampire Enrico Fermi
Provocative At-At
Lights All Night Gandalf
Sexy Stephen Hawking
Neil Degrasse Tyson, in drag
and
Neil Degrasse Tyson, as is
Marie Curie Gone Wild (a glow-in-the-dark routine)
Two women, one Mad Magazine "fold-in"
Emerge from a gutted tauntaun, wearing only pasties and an icy "Hoth stare."

Now, our other four favorite photos. See the entire slideshow here.

More »

Phantom City Creative

This weekend, February 9-10, fans of all things sci-fi will descend upon the Irving Convention Center for this year's Sci-Fi Expo. Major guests will be in attendance, including comic book artists and actors from popular sci-fi films and TV shows. The roster includes stars from Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, and even Billy Boyd from Lord of the Rings.

But as much as we love as those franchises, its the appearance of Back to the Future stars Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells and James Tolkan we're most excited about. That got us wondering: In an ideal world, if you could get any piece of Back to the Future memorabilia autographed, what would it be? Here are six cool ideas.

More »

Joel Hodgson, the creator and original host of Mystery Science Theater 3000, entertained a packed house at Oak Cliff's Texas Theater Saturday night. It was a twofer, beginning with an introduction and screening of the show's classic "Pod People" episode, followed by Hodgson's new one-man showcase, "Riffing Myself."

In his introduction Hodgson explained that he wrote "Riffing Myself" this past summer, with performances starting just last Halloween. This would only be its ninth offering across the country. As for why he was screening "Pod People," out of all the MST3K episodes he starred in, he said, "I couldn't tell you why, other than that it's just so freaking weird."

And it is. It really is.

More »

Tweens, shut-ins, cat ladies and frustrated housewives too timid for 50 Shade of Grey entered their final throes of Twilight-related delirium last week. Apparently, not all vampires live forever. As fans search for another fantasy franchise to fill the emotional void, the rest of us see simply the end of a long national nightmare. For that reason, we've decided to celebrate by rummaging through the monster flick/teen lust junk drawer and picking out 10 Things that Are Cooler Than Twilight.

1. An American Werewolf in London - Back when Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattison were merely a twinkle in their parent's genetically perfect eyes, Griffin Dunne ruled the world. Ok, maybe not ruled the world but An American Werewolf in London is the perfect blend of comedy, teen sex romp and full-on horror movie. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

More »

All photos by Matthew Lawson

There really should be Stormtroopers at more piano bars.

It was a night that would make the lurkers of a Tatooine night club proud. An intergalactic hoedown hosted locally at Louie Louie's Dueling Piano Bar.

Stormtroopers mingled alongside Starfleet cadets and the two groups cast glances of reserved respect for one another. They are two collections of collectors and geeks that are connected by their passion for science fiction, but separated by the universes they choose to admire. The sequestered sets of nerds decided to put their sabers and phasers away for the night, and join forces to raise funds for the USO, and help the lives of American veterans in a unique night of unification.

More »

All photos by Rachel Pinn

It took the folks at the Perot Museum three years, almost to the day, to build the 180,000 square feet of architecture, green initiative, science, nature, families, technology and awesome that were unveiled to the media this week.

But there's just so much more than that. So I'm going to paint you a picture with alphabetized words, to attempt to give you the gist of the massive amount of nature and science inside the great big grey box.

More »

Chewie actor Peter Mayhew will be there, in that shirt if God answers prayers.

Could Captain Kirk kick Han Solo's ass? Is Spock more wise and knowledgeable than C-3PO? Phasers or light sabers? Would you rather spend a romantic evening with Android Andrea or Princess Leia? Who possesses more power, Kahn or Emperor Palpatine?

Some of these important questions may be boozily discussed at Louie Louie's Piano Bar in Arlington on Friday, as a sci-fi themed USO benefit show takes over. Be warned, though, the road ahead may be a nerdy one.

More »