Archive for the 'Gone Hollywood' Category

Indies eye Illinois as filming locale

Thursday, July 6th, 2023

Several indies filmed in part or whole in downstate Illinois during the last few years are finally emerging, and half of them were not initiated by local producers. How do we fare in our visitors’ fields of vision?

Lady MFX artists make MONSTER

Wednesday, June 28th, 2023

In her newest project and Kickstarter push, Decatur-area native Jessie Seitz sets out to course-correct monster movie history in MONSTER GIRLS, a salute to women makeup effects artists.

‘Thirty’ for Murray, more in 2022

Thursday, June 1st, 2023

We pause to reflect on those who did not get to share their creativity, compassion, and community with the rest of us in 2023, except for in the memories and legacies they’ve left in our care.

Thrice the Tubi for 2023 viewing

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Here’s a CUBlog sequel you didn’t see coming! Whether you read or appreciated the original, our revised link-list of Tubi fare illustrating the histories of Ebertfest and Confidential will thrill you.

‘Ebertfest’ ’23 to project empathy

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

Roger Ebert’s Film Festival is set to captivate Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, for Year 23 from April 18-22, 2023. Here are the base details and important resources for you to know.

Virginia ready for Ebertfest return

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

CUBlog resumes posting just in time for the resuscitation of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival! Year 22 launches later tonight at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, and we have the schedule.

Local lore informs SIGNAL, LANE

Tuesday, January 11th, 2022

The specters of Illinois urban legends form the basis of a pair of brand-new indie features, LANTERN’S LANE from Vertical Entertainment and BROADCAST SIGNAL INTRUSION from Dark Sky Films.

‘Thirty’ for Murray, others in 2021

Friday, December 31st, 2021

This has been a very long year. Whether it’s been better or worse than the year before is debatable. Let’s put the soapboxes aside and remember those who are no longer here for 2022.

Coeds, film crew aim to bag HAG

Thursday, August 19th, 2021

When Into the Night Motion Pictures of Normal, Illinois, emerges from the Pontiac woods at the end of August, they will be haggard due to long hours spent HUNTING FOR THE HAG. Is the flick worth the risk?

Two days remain for UI Press sale

Thursday, June 24th, 2021

The University of Illinois Press publishes a fair amount of books and journals concerned with cinema, television, and new media. We provide a quick guide to what’s available as their “Summer Sale” winds down very soon!

TubiTV incorporates C-U movies

Thursday, September 24th, 2020

We delved into the Tubi platform and retrieved intel on movies from both the history of Ebertfest and the fabric of our very being in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Links aplenty now await you!

Hollywood vet ‘Directing’ at MWP

Tuesday, September 15th, 2020

Our limited series on filmmaking books from the Michael Wiese Productions library continues with ‘John Badham on Directing’ by John Badham, reviewed by Andrew J. Rausch.

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.’

‘Birthday’ offers fresh QT dialogue

Thursday, October 24th, 2019

BearManor Media released ‘My Best Friend’s Birthday: The Making of a Quentin Tarantino Film’ by Andrew J. Rausch on October 6, 2019. Myths are dispelled, truth is unearthed, and Ye Ed contributes a few words to it!

AFM biz relies on solid genre films

Thursday, February 7th, 2019

It is sometimes important to take a few steps back and reevaluate your purpose for producing films independently of the studio system. Robin Christian reminds us the American Film Market is here to help.