At the century-old Esquire Theatre in Clifton, a night at the movies can involve anything from dancing along to a live cast during The Rocky Horror Picture Show, throwing snow as a live choir sings along to White Christmas or reciting the lines to your favorite cult classic with an auditorium full of equally devoted fans.  

Uptown Cincinnati is home to some of the city's largest employers, best known attractions and entertainment spots. In the right spots you'll see vibrancy, potential and even a little charm. But like in so many areas of the urban core, other parts are run down, prone to violence. The nonprofit Uptown Consortium has promoted the revitalization of these urban neighborhoods since 2004.  

The Oxford International Film Festival is in a transitional year. Founded by a small group of college students three years ago, it's evolved into a reasonably well-programmed festival with access to a full-fledged movie house (Esquire Theatre in Clifton) and growing interest from filmmakers.  

By year three, one would assume that an annual event of some scale and magnitude would attempt to steady itself, straighten up on its still relatively wobbly legs to test for newfound strength and stability. Thanks to the disastrous economic climate, the Oxford International Film Festival had to go from barely standing to boldly leaping forward all at once.