C-U Blogfidential

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about Mike and Gail Hanafin, owners of the Princess Theatre in LeRoy, IL, taking over management duties after allowing former operator Ben Slotky to back out of his lease agreement. Plus, your editor ruminates about the failure of the Castle Theatre in Bloomington under Slotky’s ownership.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about Illinois State Police arresting Michigan resident Paul J. Adams III near Watseka, IL, on charges involving speeding, possession of marijuana, and “unlawful use of unidentified audiovisual recordings.”

Article in Champaign newspaper The Daily Illini previewing the impending production of the “80’s throwback action movie about a homeless vigilante/superhero,” THE TRANSIENT, produced by Chris Lukeman and Anne Shivers. Plus, C-U Blogfidential brings you exclusive set photos of the Transient and Steve in action!

Article in Bloomington (IL) daily The Pantagraph about the reopening of the Majestic Theatre in Streator, IL, on its 100th anniversary. Also, your editor bitches about old business.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the “Show Me A Story” program sponsored by WILL-TV Channel 12 and the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club of Champaign, during which preteens learn how to plan and produce a 10-minute segment for television. Plus, your editor bitches about the station’s lack of creative in-house programming.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the Twin Cinemas in nearby Villa Grove, recently put up for sale by owner Mark McSparin of Sensible Cinemas.

Article in Bloomington (IL) daily The Pantagraph about the victory of Springfield, Vermont, over Springfield, Illinois, in an on-line voting contest that awards the winner the United States premiere of 20th Century Fox’s THE SIMPSONS MOVIE on July 21, 2007.

Review in Champaign weekly “buzz” of the locally-made film WELCOME TO TOLONO along with observations about the area premiere at the University of Illinois’ Foellinger Auditorium on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the hiring of Atlanta, GA, consulting firm McQueen and Associates by the Vermilion Heritage Foundation to assess whether future restoration and operation of the Fischer Theatre in downtown Danville would be a viable investment. Plus, your editor bitches about the increasing propensity for small theaters to rely on big Hollywood movies in order to stay open.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about Greg Boardman’s sale of the Lorraine Theatre in Hoopeston, IL, to entrepreneur Kevin Alvarez of Burlington, WI, and the minor operational changes to be expected in the near future. Plus, your editor bitches about fee-based on-line newspaper archives.

Sidetrack host Jason Croft discusses “C-U Confidential” and the possibility of a local film scene with your editor on WILL AM 580 later today, Saturday, May 5, 2007, 5 p.m. CST.

Mediageek Radioshow host Paul Riismandel discusses “C-U Confidential” with your editor on WEFT 90.1 FM tomorrow, Friday, April 20, 2007, 5:30 p.m. CST.

The Chicago Sun-Times runs a quote from C-U Blogfidential in Thursday’s unofficial “Chief Illiniwek” issue.

Everybody is showing their true colors this week in regards to Chief Illiniwek, the long-standing University of Illinois mascot who will make his last public appearance tonight, Wednesday, February 21, 2007.

Several articles report on the passing of this Champaign-Urbana champion of reggae, Rastafarianism, and ganja rights, who also hosted a pair of home-video releases for High Times magazine.