C-U Blogfidential

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.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the city of Danville, IL, potentially regaining ownership of the Fischer Theatre and expediting a decision on the fate of the building, which dates back to 1884.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about the “Audio-Visual Self-Assessment Program,” an initiative by the University of Illinois Library to develop a computerized system that will aid collectors and archivists in analyzing media holdings.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about decision by owner-operator Greg Boardman to temporarily close the Lorraine Theatre in Hoopeston, IL, for two weeks, as well as the movie house’s impending sale.

Article in Champaign daily The News-Gazette about decision by the Vermillion Heritage Foundation to temporarily close the Fischer Theatre in Danville, IL, until an adequate financial solution can be found to maintain its operation and renovation.

Article in Decatur (IL) daily Herald & Review about freelance screenwriter Steve Latshaw, a former Decatur resident, and his experience working on STAN LEE’S LIGHTSPEED.

Article in Champaign newspaper The Daily Illini about ongoing efforts by the Champaign Park District to renovate the 84-year-old Virginia Theatre.

An Associated Press story on CNN.com reports that film critic Roger Ebert is in serious condition after emergency surgery to repair complications in the region from which cancerous growth was removed on June 16, 2006.