Archive for the 'Ones That Got Away?' Category

More than PEORIA made for TV

Thursday, June 22nd, 2023

At one time, four indie television shows were being worked on simultaneously in downstate Illinois. Only PEORIA has persisted with little interruption. What happened to the rest? These are their stories.

‘MacGuffin,’ SHOT hit 50th mark

Thursday, April 27th, 2023

Wouldn’t be prudent for us to promote this weekend’s UIUC and ISU student film shows without honoring the 50th anniversary of the UI student-made ‘MaGuffin’ and SHOT as well. Get learned!

Lost IL indie flays DEAD BODIES

Monday, November 8th, 2021

Illinois native Shea VanLaningham tried to crack the indie horror market with DEAD BODIES EVERYWHERE some 10 years ago. We thought it had been long buried. We were dead wrong.

NAFF still a no-show for October

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020

Where have all the good times gone? That is one of several major understatements for today. Do your civic duty, C-Uvians, and then consider whether our film culture can rebuild after the drought.

August and everything NAFFter

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

Ye Ed is rooting for the film culture of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to rebound from the turbulence of recent years. Not everything will survive, such as the theaters he recently photographed.

It’s ‘The End’ for GQT at Savoy 16

Friday, July 24th, 2020

In a restructuring effort by new ownership, the Goodrich Quality Theaters chain has decided to let go of the Savoy 16 IMAX in Savoy, IL. It could reopen if another tenant-operator fills the void.

Virus fells Orpheum, shorts Avon

Friday, July 3rd, 2020

Nationwide consensus is that small businesses and organizations will get raked over the coals before the pandemic is over. We look at how a first-run, mixed-use, and former movie theater are doing.

Don’t ever let the dust settle, C-U

Thursday, June 25th, 2020

Self-restriction has been lifted as your humble editor rockets out the gate with fresh words on important topics and miscellany as well as dear old Dad. He might mention a few filmy things on top of that.

Let’s all go to the ‘Movies,’ C-U

Monday, June 8th, 2020

Once upon a time, next to no one in our society knew how to make movies. Traveling impresarios of a century ago made sure to tease the average citizen with the possibilities in programs like ‘Making Movies.’

Odds sinking for Lincoln survival

Wednesday, May 20th, 2020

The unused Lincoln Square Theatre in downtown Decatur, Illinois, is showing signs of disrepair on its exterior. Residents and officials may be at a tipping point in deciding the fate of the venue.

Cicadas fashioned to fit allegory

Thursday, May 14th, 2020

Once again, the archives at MFHQ trigger your humble editor into remembering times of a different creative energy. Herein we have evidence of his stab at fashioning attire for a lost short film project.

C-U cinema hits a slippery slope

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

The scenes from a film culture that we have been watching mostly from afar fill us with mild disenchantment instead of wonder. And then we were ordered to self-shelter and keep personal spaces to ourselves. Joy.

Our resolution will be CUBlogged

Tuesday, January 14th, 2020

We’re not sure what to tell you. Chances are good our reel life will give way to real life. It may mean the end, a new beginning, a suspended animation, a salvage mission. Choosing your own misadventure sucks.

Alas, no NAFF 2019 show for you

Friday, November 22nd, 2019

There’s really not much more to say on behalf of the New Art Film Festival. We need a short break from it publicly, starting now, even though we won’t get a break from it privately until further notice.

C-U cinema tumbles hard into fall

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

All systems are go for several cool film events coming to the area! Learn about them and postulate what might become of the orphaned New Art Film Festival now that the Art Theater is a cinematic sitting duck.