Joe on Film: deadCENTER

deadCENTER Comes to Tulsa

Founded in 2001 by Justan and Jason Floyd, the annual deadCENTER Film Festival has grown into Oklahoma’s largest—and also one of the Top 20 “coolest” film festivals in the world, per Moviemaker Magazine. The event features a four-day long slate of movies and shorts, both domestic and international, and attracts thousands of film buffs from all over the globe. Now—in a first for the event—the Oklahoma City-based festival is going on the road. This weekend you can be a part of the two-day deadCENTER mini-fest beginning Friday, Oct. 3 at Tulsa’s own Circle Cinema.

The opening reception begins at 5 p.m. followed by a film block between 7 and 11 p.m., featuring a mix of local and fresh off of Sundance premieres. Kids can enjoy a free slate of films in the quad, and seminars are planned for young and would-be filmmakers.

Saturday features all-day seminars and films before the evening block, between 5 and 11 p.m., with a roster of “Best Okie Shorts” before the evening’s feature-length films which include, “The Posthuman Project” and writer/director Sterlin Harjo’s latest offering, the haunting documentary “This May Be The Last Time.” There will be two mystery exhibitions, as well, followed by after parties on both nights.

For a full list of screenings and ticket information visit: www.deadcenterfilm.org

James Ellroy Confidential

James Ellory, the iconic author of such hit crime novels-turned-films as L.A. Confidential and The Black Dahlia, is on the road supporting his latest book, Perfidia. Thanks to Booksmart Tulsa, the always entertaining Ellroy (it’s no secret that the guy thinks and speaks like one of his hard-boiled, no-bullshit characters) will be dropping by the Circle Cinema Oct. 9 for a lively talk about his life, his work and the movies.

After the interview, there will be a screening of L.A. Confidential (one of the truly great and wickedly addictive films of the late 20th Century) followed by a Q&A about the film with the author. Vintage ladies apparel from the era of wise guys and dames will be on display courtesy of Volupté. 

The fun starts at 7 p.m. For more information visit www.circlecinema.com

Gone Girl

David Fincher’s latest thriller, based on the bestselling novel of the same name, finds Ben Affleck at the center of a media firestorm when it begins to look like he might be more than a little complicit in the sensational disappearance of his beautiful wife (Rosamund Pike). Fincher fans know what to expect (chillingly perfect compositions that belie a pulsing, pulpy, suspense story) and the trailers promise a film that seems unlikely to disappoint—even though Tyler Perry co-stars.

Gone Girl opens everywhere Oct. 3.